Bill Penalizing Disrespect Of Russian State Symbols Goes To Parliament

Daniyal Sohail Published December 13, 2018 | 12:34 AM

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th December, 2018) Several Russian legislators filed a motion on Wednesday to punish internet users for offensive content targeting Russian state symbols, the constitution, or authorities.

The proposal was signed by upper house constitutional committee chief Andrei Klishas and several other senators and members of the lower house State Duma.

"We suggested expanding Article 20.1 on disorderly conduct to include circulation of online materials that show blatant disregard of the society, the state, state symbols, the Russian constitution and state organs," Klishas told Sputnik.

The senator pointed to existing laws that punish offensive public actions with administrative or criminal penalties, adding this approach should also apply to the Internet.