Russian legislators on Thursday voted in favor of a bill that will make it a crime to challenge anyone battling on the Russian side in the war in Ukraine.The legislation intends to broaden existing laws criminalizing the discrediting of the Russian militaries to include mercenaries serving in the ranks of Russias growing variety of personal military companies, such as the Wagner group.
The bill was suddenly presented by State Duma deputies on Wednesday in the type of changes to two largely unassociated bills that were currently due to be voted on in the lower chamber of the Russian parliament.If signed into law, the modifications would present sentences of up to seven years in prison for public acts aimed at discrediting volunteer formations, organizations or people that are aiding the work of the Russian armed forces.The proposed amendments also increase the optimal punishment for breaking the existing law banning spreading false info about the army.Those condemned of spreading out phony details about the army or a volunteer military formation would then face up to five years in prison rather of the three years outlined in the existing law.
The new law would likewise raise the optimum fine from 700,000 rubles ($9,250) to 1.5 million rubles ($19,830).
In cases in which the dissemination of incorrect details is deemed to have actually had serious repercussions, violators might face up to 15 years in prison, under the brand-new legislation.
The bill must now pass its third reading in the State Duma on 14 March before going to the upper home of parliament for approval and after that lastly to the president for his signature.