Senate approves bill on criminal liability of business entities

The Senate on Thursday approved a bill introducing criminal liability of collective entities and business corporations, which would enable courts to fine them, seize their property or even abolish them for serious offences. The bill, which still has to be signed by the president, extends the list of crimes for which business entities can be punished to almost 80. As of 2012 firms could thus be punished for money laundering, counterfeiting, tax evasion, unlawful possession of nuclear material as well as sexual harassment and crimes connected with child pornography.