All Russian aiprorts to search passengers

Passengers at all Russian airports will be searched beginning Friday, the Interfax news agency reported.

"From Oct. 1, passengers will take off their coats, belts and footwear," an official in the Federal Transport Supervision service told Interfax.

"These articles will be screened with electronic devices and the passengers will be searched," he said.

The FTS official also said all passes allowing their bearers to drive or walk into controlled areas of airports will be annulled for those who are not involved in flight operations.

A new draft federal bill on transport security will be submitted to the State Duma next month, he said.

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