Moscow, Dec 21 (IANS/RIA Novosti): Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected as baseless that the Russian judiciary is not independent and its judges are corrupt.

"I disagree with the statement that we lack a fully independent judicial system. On the contrary, it certainly exists in this country," the president said.

"I disagree with sweeping accusations that our judiciary and certain judges are corrupt."

Judges in Russia are immune from criminal persecution and investigations into possible abuses by judges, as well as any disciplinary action, are administered by the judicial system itself, Putin said.

"There was a time when many experts wondered whether we had gone too far, effectively exempting the judiciary from state and public control," he said.

He called for a public discussion on possible ways to improve the court system in Russia.

Western organisations and rights groups have repeatedly criticised Russia's judiciary over its lack of independence and impartiality, and expressed concern over politically motivated trials.

In 2011, the European Parliament expressed its "concern over reports of politically motivated trials, unfair procedures and failures to investigate serious crimes such as killings and harassment".