MOSCOW, April 24 (RAPSI) – President Vladimir Putin has signed a bill toughening punishment for violations in the field of procurement for state and municipal needs into law, according to the official website of legal information.

The law in particular envisages criminal liability for provocation of commercial bribery in the sphere of procurement.

According to the legislation, violation of Russian legislation regulating procurement of goods and services committed by persons who are not officials or managers will result in criminal liability if the action caused large damage. In this case a person responsible is to pay a fine of up to 200,000 rubles ($3,500) and may be imprisoned for up to three years. If a crime caused a major damage or was committed by a group of people, it would result in punishment of up to seven years in prison.

In addition, commercial bribery of employees of a contract service, contract managers, chiefs of procurement commissions, persons receiving procured goods and services as well as persons representing the client may result in a prison term of up to 12 years. The bill also specifies reasons that list grounds for release of persons who transferred unlawful remuneration to specified persons from criminal liability.

The State Duma adopted the initiative on April 12. The Federation Council approved the document on April 18.