MOSCOW, December 21 (RAPSI) – The Federation Council members on Friday backed extension of a list of criminal cases which can be closed after the damage caused is paid.

The draft law submitted by President Vladimir Putin is aimed at the further humanization of criminal legislation to minimize the risks of doing business in Russia and to create additional guarantees for protection of businessmen from unfounded prosecution.

Under the bill, criminal cases would be closed after reimbursement of damage caused to a person, company or the state. The list of such crimes includes fraud connected to premediated breach of contract in business; credit, insurance or computer information fraud; non-grave crimes related to copyright infringement, plagiary or violation of inventing or patent rights, non-serious embezzlement and infliction of property damage by deception or abuse of trust; nonpayment of wages, pensions, grants and others.

Moreover, the legislative initiative prohibits detention of persons suspected or accused of abuse of authority in the business sphere. However, this ban would not apply to defendants in cases on illegal gambling activities.

Amendments have been proposed to Russia’s Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes. The State Duma lawmakers adopted them on December 18.