A controversial law expanding the rights of Russia's secret services is now in place, as President Dmitry Medvedev signed the new decree, his office said Thursday, DPA reported.
The law, which had been put forward by Medvedev to aid the fight against terror and extremist tendencies, allows the Federal Security Service (FSB) to act against citizens on suspicions, even without any concrete evidence.
The FSB, the successor of the Soviet-era KGB secret service, can now summon suspects for "precautionary talks" to prevent the possibility of a criminal act "against the country's security."
Those who refuse to attend will face a fine of around 1,500 dollars or spend 15 days in detention.
Human rights activists and opposition politicians had strongly criticized the law, saying it signals a return to Soviet-style authoritarianism.