Russia passes new law to punish calls to act against its security
The Duma, lower house of the Russian Parliament, on April 19, 2016 in Moscow (illustration image).
AFP/Archives
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Russia continues to beef up its repressive arsenal in the context of the war with Ukraine.
The Duma, the lower house of the Russian Parliament, has passed a law punishing heavy penalties for acts that could harm the country's security.
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Public calls for action against Russia's security will now be punishable by two to four years in prison.
The penalty can be increased to five years in the case of appeals broadcast by the media and seven years if they are made in an organized group.
The law also introduces criminal liability for participation in an undesirable foreign organization, including outside of Russia.
Collecting and handing over to the enemy information “
which could be used against the Russian armed forces
” will be punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
The deputies voted for this reinforcement of the legislative arsenal at a time when Moscow is repressing all voices opposing its military offensive in Ukraine.
Those who denounce the war can be liable to 15 years in prison.
Several people have already been imprisoned for this reason since the start of military operations in Ukraine on February 24.
This Thursday, in the Russian capital, a municipal deputy from Moscow is to be tried.
Aleksei Gordinov has been detained there for two months.
His fault: having called for a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the war, at the opening of the session of the municipal council.
He faces up to 10 years in a penal colony.
►Also read: Repression in Russia: "All opponents of the war are targeted"
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