Sentences for thuggery offenses may be harshened, as announced during a session of the Legilsative Chamber on Tuesday. During the meeting, MPs discussed a bill aimed at stepping up fight against organized crime and offenses in public places. Currently, organized crime groups often receive light sentences for thuggery, which leads to a sense of impunity.
The bill proposes harsher penalties for thuggery. The bill proposes to harshen punishments for offenses committed by a group of individuals, repeat offenses, the use of weapons, or resisting police and law enforcement.
A proposal was made to supplement Article 277 of the Criminal Code with a specific Part 4. Under this new provision, thuggery committed by an organized group or resulting in grievous bodily harm would be punishable by 8 to 10 years of imprisonment. Currently, the penalty for intentionally causing grievous bodily harm during thuggery ranges from 5 to 8 years.
According to the bill, imprisonment is also being proposed for using one's official position to sponsor a criminal group. The proposal includes a provision that individuals who finance a criminal group will not be eligible for early release from their sentences. However, if a person who financed a criminal group notifies the authorities in a timely manner and helps prevent serious consequences, they may be released from liability.
The bill has also proposed a provision establishing criminal liability for illegal martial arts competitions. Analysis indicated that several unsanctioned mixed martial arts (MMA) and similar competitions have been held illegally. The bill was approved in its first reading at the session.
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