JRL NEWSWATCH: “Russian lawmakers amend criminal code to reduce pressure on social media activity” – bne Intellinews

Montage of Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Logos, adapted from image at nps.gov

“… the State Duma … adopted amendments to … partially decriminalise … [criminal] code[] Article 282 … widely used for … offences involving social media content. As reported by … Meduza, first-time offenders will now face … misdemeanour charges, risking a RUB20,000 fine ($287 at the current exchange rate) or a 15-day jail sentence, instead of felony charges and a prison sentence. However, repeated violations within a 12-month period can still lead to a felony charge. … As reported this past summer by East West Digital News, a number of cases of prosecution were groundless or excessive, targeting social media users for just posting, reposting, commenting on or liking supposedly unlawful content. …”

Russian Duma Building

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