Support The Moscow Times!

Russian Lawmakers Propose Harsher Punishment for Extremism

Russian State Duma deputies have proposed an increase in fines and prison sentences for extremist activities, the RBC news website reported Monday.

The amendments to the anti-terrorism bill were approved for a second reading by the Duma's Security Committee. The measures were prepared by United Russia lawmaker Irina Yarovaya and Federation Council member Viktor Ozerov.

With the new amendments, inciting hatred or enmity publicly — via the media or on the Internet — could carry a fine of up to 500,000 rubles ($7,800). Under the current law, fines of up to 300,000 rubles ($4,700) can be given, RBC reported. The new amendments would allow prison sentences of up to five years, compared to the current maximum of four years.

When violence is involved, a fine of up to 600,000 rubles ($9,300) could be given — compared to a maximum fine of 500,000 rubles under current legislation. The prison sentence would also be increased to up to six years, RBC reported.

Meanwhile, the number of people convicted of extremism has risen dramatically. In 2015, 414 Russians were convicted of inciting hatred and enmity, nearly three times as many as in 2011, the Gazeta.ru news website reported, citing a May report by the Center for Economic and Political Reforms.

Earlier this year, Yarovaya and Ozerov introduced a package of anti-terror bills in reaction to the October 2015 terrorist attack on a Russian passenger plane and the terror attacks in Paris.

The changes to existing legislation are meant to tighten restrictions on Russians suspected of committing terrorist and extremist activities.

In addition to a five-year ban on traveling outside Russia, those suspected of terrorist or extremist activities are subject to life imprisonment for promoting terrorism and extremism.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysiss and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

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.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more