At a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in mid-July, President Dmitry Medvedev commented on the legal situation regarding the expansion of FSB powers:

“The situation is simple to the extreme. But I would not want very much to comment now on those changes in legislation that are taking place in our country. But since you have spoken about this, first, I would like to bring attention to the fact that this is our internal legislation, and not international acts.

Second, every country has the right to perfect its legislation, including also in relation to the spetzservices. And we are going to do this. And what is now taking place, – I would like for you to know this, – is done upon my personal instruction.”

Every word of Medvedev’s in the given situation just begs to be protested against. The situation with the law on expanding the powers of the heirs of the KGB – is complex to the extreme. The amendments have elicited indignation not only in the country, but in the world. Hence, by the way, the question to Medvedev at the press conference about these powers. Medvedev, in essence, did not answer the question: «I would not want to comment», «every country has the right…» Yes, it has, but not in every country do the special services lock innocent people up merely for their political views, different from the views of the powers that be.