The bill, which would to increase fines to up to 300,000 rubles ($9,000) for individuals who violate rally rules, cleared the final parliamentary hurdles Wednesday, now needing only the president's signature to become law.
In a country where the average annual income is several hundred dollars less than the maximum fine, the bill has become a controversial topic.
Only 17 percent in the Levada poll approve of the penalties to be enacted in the bill, while 26 percent said fines were a good idea, but those proposed in the bill were too high, Vedomosti reported.
About 70 percent of Russians have heard about the May 6 opposition rally that ended with violence by both demonstrators and police, prompting the creation of the bill. Forty-six percent said riot police reacted too harshly, while 4 percent said police were "too soft."
The poll revealed that 67 percent think Putin should enter into a dialogue with opposition protesters, but 45 percent said they thought the would try to stamp out opposition protests, up from 32 percent in a January poll.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
