Russia's Tough Treason Law Now in Effect

An ever-benevolent Vladimir Putin listened to fears surrounding a vaguely worded treason bill on Monday, ultimately promising to proceed with caution and "return to this again, to look more attentively." The next day, he just signed it, reports Reuters. The ruling expands the definition of treason to include giving financial or consultative support to foreign countries or groups, reports the AP. Rights activists fear the law, which carries a possible 20-year prison sentence, could brand even mild dissenters as traitors. Another tough aspect of it: an 8-year prison sentence for accessing state secrets—even if they're not passed to foreign hands. (More Russia stories.)