new law
State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said at the plenary meeting that “the moment when the truth comes out” has come. According to him, deputies should consider volunteers who will “come tomorrow” to the Russian military special operations zone, as well as soldiers and officers already in the trenches.
“Every soldier and officer today, whether in the armed forces or volunteers, must understand that lies and slander against him will be punished and protected by law.” given Words of Volodin on the State Duma website.
He recalled that in the late 1980s and early 1990s the authorities failed to protect the military and that “uniformed officers tried not to be in public places”. He believes that the officials who “did not think of their soldiers” defending the country are responsible for this.
According to the law, which was adopted in the third and final reading, changes are made in the Russian penal code, ranging from public discrediting of the Russian Armed Forces to protecting voluntary formations.
Russia’s responsibility for “deliberately spreading false information about the use of the Armed Forces” and discrediting them extends from three to five years. In addition, the penalty for repeatedly discrediting “with dangerous consequences” will now be increased from five to seven years.
“The maximum prison sentence is up to 15 years and fines up to 5 million rubles,” says the State Duma website.
“Liability to discredit voluntary formations, organizations” will be added to the article of the Russian Code of Administrative Offenses, which refers to public actions aimed at discrediting the use of the RF Armed Forces (20.3.3 of the Administrative Offenses Code). or persons serving for the troops of the country”.
“The fines under this article amount to 50 thousand rubles for citizens and up to 500 thousand rubles for legal entities,” the press service of the lower house of the Russian parliament said.
The report clarifies that criminal sanctions will be imposed if the perpetrator is brought to administrative responsibility for similar acts within a year.
After voting on a new initiative that expands protection to volunteers, Volodin wrote in the third reading on his Telegram channel that from now on, “everyone who puts their lives at risk and ensures the safety of the country and its citizens is protected from provocations and lies.” ”
“Such actions are unacceptable. For the wicked, punishment threatens up to 15 years in prison. Thank you for your support and feedback,” wrote the Speaker of the State Duma.
Changes protecting the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
In early March 2022, the State Duma Committee on State Construction and Legislation recommended that the lower house of parliament adopt amendments regarding the responsibility to discredit participants in a military special operation in Ukraine.
On March 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a federal law with calls for anti-Russia sanctions and large fines and criminal sanctions for fake news about the military.
In particular, for the deliberate dissemination of false information about the Russian Armed Forces, a fine of 700,000 to 1.5 million rubles, or the salary or other income of the convicted person, was imposed. for a period of up to 18 months. Up to one year of corrective labor, up to three years of forced labor and imprisonment for the same period were also provided.
In addition, for counterfeit products with serious consequences, violators have since been threatened with prison terms of between ten and 15 years.
If the crime is committed with “selfish motives” by prior agreement by a person or group of persons exercising their official position, the penalty may be as follows:
– an administrative fine in the amount of three to five million rubles or the salary or other income of the convicted person for a period of three to five years;
– up to five years of forced labor, with the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to five years;
– imprisonment from five to ten years and deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to five years.
In addition, it threatens up to three years in prison for calls to prevent the use of Russian troops to protect Russia’s interests – if the violator was brought to administrative responsibility for it earlier in the year.
For calls for sanctions against Russia, violators can face the same prison sentence.