Up to 15 years in prison for criticizing the Russian military

Russian representatives adopted the amendments on Thursday, punishing up to 15 years in prison for comments deemed hostile to Russian forces fighting in Ukraine, now including “volunteers” of paramilitary groups. “Criticizing” Russian soldiers taking part in the conflict is now punishable by up to 15 years in prison, five years ago, the State Duma (the lower house of the Russian parliament) pointed out in a Telegram.

The text also introduces sanctions for criticizing Russian “volunteers,” a term specifically used by officials to describe the paramilitary group’s mercenaries. Wagner, the front is very active in eastern Ukraine. After years of denying their existence, Russian authorities now fully recognize the militants Wagner.

These amendments were adopted in the second reading, the most important of the Russian legislative cycle. They must finally be approved on third reading, then vetted by the upper house of parliament and signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, usually a formality.

Thousands of punishments

In early March 2022, a few days after launching an offensive against Ukraine, authorities adopted two laws to “discredit” Russian forces and spread “false information” on their account, respectively. This last law already carried a 15-year prison sentence.

Thousands of Russians have been prosecuted and fined under these texts for publicly criticizing the conflict or abuses by Russian forces in Ukraine. Dozens of people prosecuted in criminal cases have been sentenced to prison terms or are awaiting trial after receiving multiple fines.

(AFP)Show comments