Russia's parliament has moved a step closer to granting President Vladimir Putin immunity for the rest of his life.
A bill has passed through the country's lower house (Duma) and if it gets approved it will prevent Putin and all future presidents from being prosecuted on criminal charges, be searched or questioned by the police, or have their property confiscated.
The piece of legislation would also protect Putin's and future president's families as well.
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The only way Putin or a future President could get a knock at the door from authorities is if they were accused of acts of treason or other 'grave crimes in exceptional circumstances', according to the BBC.
Putin's opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, said in a tweet: "Why does Putin need an immunity law now? Can dictators step down of their own free will?""
"The State Duma supported a bill allowing former presidents to violate the Criminal Code. Communist Party deputies opposed - they were offered to resign."
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Most of the MPs who sit in Russia's lower house are part of the United Russia party - which is strongly pro-Putin. Thirty-seven of the MPs who voted against it were part of the Communist Party.
There will still be two more readings in the Duma. If it passes, it will go to the Federation Council (upper house). The final step is sign-off from Mr Putin himself.
It's one of the constitutional amendments that was voted on in July in a referendum.
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As it stands, presidents can't be held liable - neither criminally, nor administratively for any crimes committed while they serve their term, as reported by the Moscow Times.
The news outlet said Senator Andrei Klishas told the Russian news agency Interfax: "The bill secures immunity guarantees for ex-presidents beyond the terms of their presidential powers.
"This expands the time frame of immunity guarantees for a president who stops exercising his powers."
Putin has been in power since 2000 and his fourth term is due to end in 2024, however this new bill would allow him to stay in the hot seat for another two six-year terms.
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If that happens, and Putin makes it to 2036, he will have been Russia's President for three decades.
Featured Image Credit: PA