Bill expands definition of treason in Russia

New legislation backed by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin would allow Russian authorities to label any government critic a traitor.

The bill, which is expected to pass in Parliament, would expand the definition of treason to include damaging Russia's constitutional order, sovereignty or territorial integrity.

That, critics said, would essentially let the authorities interpret any act against the state as treason, a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison.