Moscow law enforcement authorities have sent those turning 14 a special birthday message — by explaining which offenses can now land them in prison.
“You turned 14? Congratulations!” says a woman in uniform holding a birthday cake with candles in the video published by Moscow’s Investigative Committee on Thursday.
“Of course, your parents are still responsible for you, but from this age you will bear personal liability under certain articles of the Criminal Code,” she continues, somewhat dampening the mood.
The Gen Z-friendly video features a policeman emoji showing the numbers of Criminal Code articles as people in uniform list offenses that 14-year-olds can now be prosecuted for, including murder, robbery, hijacking and extortion.
Teenagers may also face “serious punishment” for terrorism, hostage-taking and rape.
The video ends on a more cheerful note: “Your life is your responsibility! The Investigative Committee wishes you a happy birthday.”
The Moscow Investigative Committee later removed the video from its website after it was widely mocked on social media.
The video was jointly produced with the Moscow Department of Social Security, its spokesperson Natalia Tsymbalenko wrote, adding that its unorthodox approach “means that more people will learn about liability and tell their children.”
