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Author Recalls Bill Protecting Kids From 'Distortions' of Patriotism

People hold a giant Russian flag during celebrations to mark Victory Day in the Crimean port of Sevastopol.

The author of a bill that sought to protect Russian children from information that "denied or distorts patriotism" has recalled his draft legislation from the State Duma, a note on the parliament's website said.

The note on the bill-tracking section of the website provided no reasons for the Monday recall of the document that United Russia Deputy Arkady Ponomaryov had submitted just five days earlier.

An unidentified spokesperson for the lawmaker said Ponomaryov had recalled the submission "for personal reasons" and might later return to his work on the bill, Russia's New Times reported Tuesday.

The bill defined "patriotism" as "love for the fatherland, devotion to it, striving to serve its interests through one's actions," and sought to add information that "denies or distorts patriotism" to a list of things from which children of all ages needed to be protected. Other items in that category include inducement to commit suicide, promotion of illegal drug use, violence and homosexual relationships.

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