Inducing Suicide or Attempted Suicide: The Formation, State and Challenges of Criminal Law Regulation in Criminal Laws of Russia

Abstract

The problem of suicide is a significant socio-economic problem for any modern society. At the present time, the situation in the Russian Federation is very complex and suicidal. Despite decline in recent years, suicide rates remain high. This phenomenon is predetermined by socio — economic factors. However, suicide should be examined as a result of such factors as direct mental and physical pressure put by the third parties on victims. Criminal Law of the Russian Federation treats the factors in question as signs characterizing the crime of deprivation of life. Therefore, criminal and legal measures play an important role in combating this extremely dangerous phenomenon. During different periods different approaches have been used to criminalize and construct the elements of the crime of bringing to suicide or attempt to commit suicide. The paper investigates the genesis, evolution and current state of criminal law regulation of responsibility for bringing to suicide or attempt to commit suicide in the criminal legislation of Russia. The author makes proposals for improving the regulation of the phenomenon in question.