MOSCOW, June 8 (RAPSI) – The State Duma has passed in the first reading a bill that increases legal liability for organization of fixed matches and attempts to influence the results of sporting contests through graft, RAPSI has learned in the Parliament.

The bill was introduced to the State Duma by President Vladimir Putin on May 24.

The bill envisages an increase in the maximal amount of fines imposed for various forms of bribing coaches, team managers, other participants, or organizers of official sporting contests from 500,000 rubles ($7,500) to 700,000 rubles ($10,500). At the same time, the bill increases the maximal term of imprisonment for such crimes from four years and a 50,000-ruble ($750) fine to five years and a 100,000-ruble ($1,500) fine.

According to the bill, acceptance of bribes on the part of athletes, couches, team managers, organizers of official sporting contests, and participants of entertainment commercial contests should be punishable by fines up to 700,000 rubles ($10,500), as compared with current 500,000 rubles ($7,500), and imprisonment for up to five years and fines up to 100,000 rubles ($1,500), as compared with current four years and 50,000 rubles ($750) respectively.

A provision of the bill envisages the introduction of punishment for mediation with regard to collusions aimed to influence the results of sporting contests if the respective gains exceed 25,000 rubles ($370). Offenders should be sentenced to fines of up to 500,000 rubles ($7,500), or correctional works for up to four years and deprivation of the right to hold specific posts for up to three years.

At the same time, offenders may not be held criminally liable in case they actively assist in exposure of crimes and acknowledge their guilt. Victims of blackmail are also not to be criminally liable. Such crimes committed by organized groups are still punishable by fines amounting up to 1 million rubles ($15,000) and imprisonment for up to seven years.