The State Duma adopted amendments on fines up to 1 million rubles in the first reading. for cards challenging the integrity of Russia

The State Duma in the first reading adopted amendments on fines of up to one million rubles for showing maps that depict parts of Russia as part of other states. In addition, such cards will be considered extremist materials.

The amendments propose changes to the federal law “On countering extremist activity” and Art. 20.29 Administrative Code “Production and distribution of extremist materials”. For the demonstration of such cards, they will be fined from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles, or arrested for up to 15 days. For officials, a fine in the amount of 2,000 to 5,000 rubles is provided, for legal entities – from 100,000 to 1 million rubles.

As stated in the explanatory note to the bill, materials have recently become more frequently published, in which parts of Russia (Crimea or the South Kuriles) are depicted as part of other states. The authors of the initiative believe that in this way “propaganda from abroad” wants to form “distorted ideas about the state border of Russia” among the Russian and world community.

As one of the authors of the bill, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Security and Anti-Corruption Ernest Valeev, explained, maps published earlier and reflecting “certain historical periods” will not fall under the law.

Anastasia Larina