Russian legislators on Thursday voted in favor of a costs that would make it a crime to challenge anyone combating on Russias side in the war in Ukraine, not simply the Russian military.The legislation aims to broaden current laws criminalizing the discrediting of the Russian Armed Forces to include mercenaries serving in the ranks of Russias growing variety of private military companies, such as the Wagner Group.
The bill was unexpectedly introduced by State Duma deputies Wednesday in the type of modifications to 2 mainly unassociated expenses that were already due to be voted on in the lower chamber of the Russian parliament.If signed into law, the modifications would introduce sentences of up to seven years in prison for public acts targeted at discrediting volunteer formations, organizations or individuals that are helping the work of the Russian Armed Forces.The proposed changes also increase the maximum penalty for violating the existing law against spreading out incorrect info about the army.Those condemned of spreading out fake information about the army or a volunteer military development would then face up to five years in prison rather of the 3 years described in the present law.
The new law would also raise the optimum fine from 700,000 rubles ($9,250) to 1.5 million rubles ($19,830).
In cases in which the dissemination of false details is considered to have had serious effects, violators might face up to 15 years in jail, under the new legislation.
The expense must now pass its third reading in the State Duma on March 14 prior to going to the upper house of parliament for approval and then finally to the president for his signature.