The Duma would not consider lifting the moratorium...

The Duma would not consider lifting the moratorium on the death penalty in Russia, first deputy head of its committee for criminal and civil law Valery Grebennikov (United Russia) said, adding that in 1996, Russia joined the Council of Europe convention which pledged to abolish capital punishment.
"We failed to carry out the promise because the majority of deputies in the previous Duma did not support the proposal," he said.
Grebennikov said that somewhat later the Duma decided to impose a moratorium on the death penalty and the Constitutional Court, after handling a plea from the public, passed a ruling stating that the moratorium did not contradict the constitution or Russian law.
"Some deputies and politicians demanding the abolition of the moratorium on the death sentence now are cornering Russia and demanding that it refuse to fulfill the Council of Europe's decision which would undermine the reputation of this country not only in Europe but also the rest of the world," Grebennikov said.
He said the working group set up with the Duma to tighten the punishment for terrorist activities would soon submit to the house a bill introducing capital punishment for terrorism or involvement with terrorism.
"However, the moratorium on the death sentence will remain in force," he said.