Putin says harsh punishment for economic crimes disputable

MOSCOW, Dec 5 (PRIME) -- A punishment of seven to 10-year prison sentences for the economic crimes not carrying risks for people's lives and health is disputable and worth discussing, President Vladimir Putin said late on Monday at a meeting on human rights.

"The cases that you have mentioned don't really make sense, when there are actions clearly going against the law, but still, seven to 10-year sentences (are applied). In my point of view, as of a Russian citizen, these things are disputable. Let's say cautiously, disputable," Putin said.

The president said to turn to the State Duma, the government, the Supreme Court and the prosecutors to discuss improvement of the legal framework and practices on a nation-wide scale.

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