Categories of Accomplices under Russian and Foreign Criminal Law

The issue of accomplices’ liability has been debated by scientists in connection with the increase in the number of crimes committed by a group of individuals from the twentieth century. However, scholars have generally focused their attention on complicity as a whole, rather than on each of the categories of accomplices. Due to scientific progress, it is increasingly difficult to determine the role of each person involved in the crime, not only in Russia, but also outside the country. This research aims at developing the study on the categories of accomplices under Russian and foreign criminal law. In order to determine the main features of each of the accomplices and the limits of their liability in Russia and abroad we will use comprehensive and comparative jurisprudence. Firstly we will consider the categories main feature of organizer, instigator, executor and abettor under Russian law. Then we will analyse foreign provisions on the liability of each of the participants in the crime. This research will contribute to the improvement of the scientific basis on the limits of liability of accomplices in the legal system of Russia and other countries. Key words: accomplices, complicity, organizer, instigator, executor, abettor.