Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has submitted...

The bill sets a minimum bail of 100,000 rubles ($3,300) for minor offenses and 500,000 rubles ($16,600) for serious crimes. Securities and real estate could also be accepted as bail.

Medvedev said on Friday that people suspected of economic crimes should be released on bail more often to prevent jail being used to pressure businessmen, as well as to cut the prison population.

Bail is rarely used in Russia, where suspects can spend two or three years in detention pending trial. Intimidation by security forces is another problem often voiced by Russian defense lawyers and rights groups.

Last November a lawyer representing a London-based hedge fund died in a Moscow jail while awaiting trial on tax evasion charges. Supporters say Sergei Magnitsky was denied access to medical treatment.

The Supreme Court said earlier this month it was drafting legislative amendments to introduce the 5,000 ruble lower bail bracket for insignificant economic crimes and 200,000

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