Capital punishment in Russia has been indefinitely suspended, although it is legally allowed (with the only method being shooting). There exists both an implicit moratorium established by the President and an explicit one, established by the nation's highest court. Russia has not executed anyone since 1996, and the regulations of the Council of Europe prohibit it from doing so at any time in the future. However, the death penalty still remains codified.
In the recent years, President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia will retain its moratorium at least until 2010. In November 2009, the Constitutional Court of Russia extended the ban.
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