Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed the controversial laws against illegal and from the authorities false information on the Internet. This was announced by the Kremlin in Moscow. The Human Rights Council appointed by Putin had previously warned against the entry into force of these regulations. He announced to control the effects.
In particular, the panel advising the president sees a risk of arbitrary blocking of websites. It would also further limit freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by the Constitution and free access to information.
According to the laws previously adopted by the Duma and Federation Council - the House of Lords in parliament - high fines or even arrest threaten to spread alleged false information on the Internet. Even a "blatant disrespect" to the state, the authorities, the Constitution and the state flag can be punished.
Critics fear that the new law could punish criticism of the president. The organization Amnesty International had also criticized the laws. Human rights organizations have been complaining for years about an increasing restriction of freedoms in Russia. At present, Parliament is advising on a law on a stand-alone Internet. With an autonomous infrastructure Russia wants to be independent from the worldwide network. Recently, thousands of people in Moscow protested against the plans. They fear censorship.
Putin is currently visiting Crimea. Five years after the annexation of the Black Sea peninsula, he inaugurated two power plants there and said he hopes for better relations with Ukraine after the presidential election in the country. The current President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, again accused Putin of wanting to disrupt the election.