RUSSIALINK: “Law on insulting state symbols doesn’t need adjustment – Peskov” – Interfax

MOSCOW. June 27 (Interfax) – The law on insulting state symbols does not need any adjustment, but law enforcement practice needs control to prevent irregularities; in particular, those associated with restrictions on the criticism of authorities, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Journalists mentioned during a conversation with Peskov on Thursday that the president had said during his recent Q&A session that the law on insulting state symbols cannot be used for restricting criticism of authorities.

Meanwhile, the TV channel Dozhd published materials stating that the Kremlin had analyzed the law enforcement practice and come to the conclusion that the police use the law wrong in some situations.

When asked to confirm these reports, Peskov said, “It was said right from the very beginning that the law enforcement practice would be closely supervised as regards this law.”

“This law talks about insulting symbols of authority, symbols of statehood, and it cannot be projected onto criticism of the authorities in any way,” he said.

“Some instances of the enforcement of the wrong law present interest, and we’re monitoring this very closely,” Peskov said.

At the same time, he gave a negative answer when asked whether that means the law needs adjustment. “It doesn’t mean that at all,” Peskov said.