Redchits M.A. Criminal law characteristics of destruction of and damage to objects of cultural heritage (Part 1 of Article 243 of the CCRF)

Abstract: This article is dedicated to the analysis of the criminal law characteristics of the Article 243 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation amended in 2013. As the subject, the author selected objects of cultural heritage as objects of crime in the aforementioned Article. The issue is examined according to the classic approach of “object-objective side-subjective side-subject”, where in each paragraph of the Article the author draws certain scientific conclusions. The work substantiates the relevance of this subject of research, presents the analysis of the current national legislation and legal precedent, as well as doctrinal views. The author finds it legitimate to include the Article 243 into the chapter 25 of the Criminal code on bases of the object of a criminal offence. Characteristics are given to the object of cultural heritage as new objects of crime. The author formulates the rules for classification of acts according to Article 243 of the CCRF, as well as reviews cases of competition between the norms of Articles 243 and 167 of the CCRF and delimits the composition of crime by Articles 243 and 214 of the CCRF. The author substantiates the possibility of inclusion of indirect intent into the subjective side as form of guilt with consideration of theoretical position on material component of crime.

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