Was born on January 31, 1959 in the city of Semipalatinsk. Grew in the north of the Omsk region, in the small ancient town of Tara, there left secondary school in 1976. Began a labor activity the carpenter-concreter of Sibelevatorstroy. In 1981 graduated from law department of the Omsk state university, it is left for teaching work.
In 1981-1983 - in Armed Forces of the USSR, the last year served in parts of the narrow contingent of the Soviet troops in Afghanistan, has awards.
After army returned for teaching work to the university, then came to a postgraduate study of the Leningrad state university. In 1986 defends the master's thesis. Worked at the Omsk state university, holding positions of the associate professor, deputy dean of law department. In 1988 on an alternative basis it is elected the dean of law department.
The member of the CPSU since 1981 and up to its prohibition. One of founders of the Omsk society "Memorial" in 1988, but in 1977 the first-year student wrote the letter to L.I. Brezhnev about need to tell the truth about N. Bukharin, A. Rykov, G. Zinovyev, G. Sokolnikov and another "enemies of the people", and if necessary - and to rehabilitate them. In 1989 staff of three Omsk universities and several enterprises moved forward the candidate for People's Deputies of the USSR, but by efforts of the Omsk regional committee of the CPSU at a district pre-election meeting it was not allowed to elections.
From 1990 to 1993 - the People's Deputy of RSFSR, the member of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation, the member of the Constitutional commission, the chairman of subcommittee on problems of Councils of People's Deputies and local government of Committee of the Supreme Council of RSFSR by the legislation, the member of the commission on settlement of the international conflicts in the North Caucasus. In October, 1993 - the Chairman of the Committee of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation on judicial reform and questions of work of law enforcement agencies.
In 1990 voted for the 500 days Program, including transition to the market inevitable, but tried to obtain its phasing, at transformation, but not demolition of all branches of the economy. At the second Congress of People's Deputies of RSFSR (fall of 1990) voted for a private property in Russia. Supported multistructure economy, a multi-party system, ideological and political freedoms, but at the strong state and careful attitude to the past. For revival of national cultures, but within the uniform people. Upheld preserving and updating of USSR. In the fall of 1990 one of organizers of the first noncommunistic opposition to B. Yeltsin - Russia fraction, in 1990-1993 - the leader of fraction. In 1992 - one of creators and heads of Russian Unity parliamentary bloc. In the summer of 1991 at the initiative of Democratic Russia in the city of Omsk the first in modern Russian history campaign for S.N. Baburin's response from deputies which ended with a failure was organized. In July, 1991 will propose as the candidate for a post of the Chairman of the Supreme Council of RSFSR, was the main rival of R. Khasbulatov. Having rejected B. Yeltsin's offer to become the First Deputy Chairman, up to an autumn stage of a congress was ahead of Khasbulatov in all rounds of vote. Was the only member of the Supreme Council of Russia who made a speech on December 12, 1991 at the session of parliament against ratification of "belovezhsky" agreements. Voted against their ratification.
Participated in settlement of the Dnestr, Abkhaz-Georgian, Ingush-Ossetian armed conflicts. Was the organizer of the all-Russian campaign for protection of the Russian Kuril Islands, supported return of the Crimea to structure of Russia, the Russian status of Sevastopol. Since December, 1991 the chairman of Coordination Council of the movement Russian All-People's Union (RAPU), since 1994 - the Chairman of the Russian All-People's Union as political party. The cochairman Fronta of National Rescue from the moment of creation and till July, 1993. In September, 1993 condemned a coup of B. Yeltsin, remained till last day in the besieged House of Soviets, at defeat of parliament underwent beatings and short-term arrest.
1993-2000 - the deputy of the State Duma of Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of the first and second convocations. 1994-1995 - the member of the committee on affairs of public associations and the religious organizations. 1996-2000 - the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma, the cochairman of the deputy Democracy group, the deputy and the vice-chairman of the Parliamentary Meeting of the Union of Belarus and Russia, the commission chairman concerning formation of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. Since 1996 tried to obtain resignation of the government of V. Chernomyrdin. In 1999 voted for dismissal from a position of the President of Russia B. Yeltsin on all five counts.
Supervising issues of inter-parliamentary communications of Russia with the member states of the CIS, the countries of Central and Southern Europe, paid special attention to revival of the brotherly relations of Russia with the Balkan states. Participated in settlement of the Bosnian and Kosovan conflicts. The honourable citizen of community Zemun of Belgrade, is awarded the order Yugoslavian.
The specialist in the field of the theory and history of state and law, the state and municipal law, political and legal exercises, political science. Author of 5 books and more than 160 other scientific publications. Doctor of jurisprudence (1998). Since 1999 - professor of department of law department of the Omsk state university, the director (since 2000 - the president) Institute of national strategy of reforms (Moscow), along with May, 2001 till August, 2002 - the associate director of Institute of socio-political researches of RAS. In 2000-2001 - the head of the department of legal and humanitarian problems of national security of Institute of human rights of MGSU, since 2001 - professor of department of the theory and history of state and law of MGUK.
Along with May, 2000 the lawyer, and since August, 2001 and the chairman of presidium of Interregional Bar of the help to entrepreneurs and citizens, one of the largest lawyer associations of Russia. The initiator of agreement signature between board and the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation about cooperation in legal support and support of small and medium business.
Since August, 2002 - the rector of the Russian state trade and economic university. Full or honorary member of seven academies, vice president of Academy social and humanities. He is married, brings up four sons.