Russian State Duma lawmakers have decided to prohibit their colleagues from travelling abroad during "regional sessions" without a special permission from the Speaker. The United Russia party member Mikhail Starshinov says relevant changes are expected to be added to the Duma's regulations. If no success, a separate bill will be developed.

      The United Russia's initiative was supported by some LDPR fraction members, who said all the deputies should spend the "regional sessions" in Moscow or in the field. If a deputie need to travel abroad, he must at least inform the fraction's head.

      The ban on overseas trips was introduced as an answer to the Fair Russia fraction member Dmitry Gudkov's private visit to the USA. At the beggining of March, he addressed a Conference dedicated to the relations between Russia, US and EU in the light of the toughening of Russian legislation.

      Gudkov's political opponents criticized him for that trip. The Public Chamber of Russia has decided to inspect if the lawmaker spent budgetary funds for travelling. According to Dmitry Gudkov himself, he went abroad on his own account.