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Member of the Azerbaijani Parliamentary Committee on Security and Defence Zahid Oruc criticized the International Committee of the Red Cross stating that this international organization "on the guise of humanitarian activities is engaged in espionage in Azerbaijan," Azerbaijani portal "Haqqin.az" reports.

“It is necessary to toughen punishment for espionage in Azerbaijan, and to strengthen the fight against it," said the deputy.

Portal notes that the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan will maximize the sentence for treason. Now treason will be punishable by imprisonment from 12 to 20 years. In the current version of the article of the Criminal Code the sentence for the above mentioned crime is from 10 to 15 years.

As Zahid Oruc told the reporters, amendments will be made also in the laws "On State Secrets" and "On intelligence and counterintelligence activities."

According to Zahid Oruc, recently the Azerbaijani media spread sensational information which was send to them by "certain circles" in order to influence public opinion in Azerbaijan. "Look at U.S. Ambassador Richard Morningstar. In an interview with radio "Azadlig" he says one thing and in other media interviews another thing. It is aimed at opposing Azerbaijan to Russia," he said.

According to the Azerbaijani news agency "APA" penalties for violent seizure of power and armed rebellion too grow tougher in Azerbaijan. In this regard, the President of Azerbaijan proposed to amend Articles 278 and 280 of the Criminal Code.

According to the amendment made to the Article 278, for the violent seizure or forcible retention of power, as well as actions aimed at changing the constitutional order the detainees will be imprisoned for a term of 12 to 20 years. The same penalty is provided for the Article 280 (armed rebellion) - for the organization or participation in the armed rebellion aimed at overthrowing the constitutional order or violation of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

Currently the two articles suggest imprisonment from 10 to 15 years as a punishment, the agency notes.