MOSCOW, August 1 (RIA Novosti) - President Vladimir Putin has signed a law permitting energy companies' security personnel to carry weapons, the Kremlin press office said Wednesday.
The legislation, approved by both houses of parliament July 4 and July 11, allows companies running strategically important pipeline networks and other oil and gas facilities to provide their security officers with weapons and special equipment to deter possible terrorist attacks and tapping.
Authorities were reported to have been unable to ensure appropriate security at those facilities over a lack of financial and human resources, which has led to frequent instances of tapping, fires, spills and pollution.
