Gazprom given right to bear arms

Russia’s parliament handed gas giant OAO Gazprom the right to form its own armed units yesterday with a law one legislator said opened a “Pandora’s box” that could lead to the creation of a private army.

A law backed by 341 lawmakers in the 450-seat State Duma gave Gazprom and oil pipeline monopoly Transneft exemption from strict limits on private businesses wielding arms.