21 February 2008 :

the Russian State Duma's Legislation Committee submitted a bill to the lower house of parliament officially abolishing the death penalty in Russia. "Our Committee has made the positive decision to join the Sixth Protocol on the abolition of the death penalty and submitted it to the State Duma," Committee Chairman Pavel Krasheninnikov said at a news conference.
"Also, the decision was made not to use 'party discipline' while debating this issue. Therefore, the deputies are making up their minds on their own. But it feels so far like the bill will not be passed," Krasheninnikov said.