Media: Russian parliament faction drafting bill to introduce notion of Russophobia to Criminal Code and up to five years in prison for practising it

The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) parliament faction is preparing a bill which will introduce the notion of Russophobia to the Criminal Code, Verstka reports, citing sources in the parliament and the presidential administration.

The outlet notes that Russophobia will possibly bring about a fine between 100,000 and 300,000 rubles (€1,150-3,460), a prison term of up to five years, ban from being employed in certain capacities, or community service.

According to Verstka’s sources, the Russian Criminal Code will see Russophobia as action and statements aimed against Russian citizens.

In particular, the International Criminal Court (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants against Russian President Vladimir Putin and children’s rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova could be seen as Russophobic. Moreover, this will apply to statements and work of certain “foreign agents”, open supporters of Russia’s victory over Ukraine, as well as “pressure” exerted on Russians, Verstka writes.

“I think that the terms [in the bill] will be rather vague to use it against those who the authorities want to catch, not specific people,” a source said.

Last week, the idea of introducing liability for Russophobia was supported at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum by Russian Deputy Justice Minister Andrey Loginov:

“I won’t go too much into the details of the draft law on countering Russophobia that we are developing together, quite clearly I support the need to enshrine the concept of Russophobia in Russian law, to form mechanisms to prevent the spread of information hostile to Russia, its people and language, and to establish responsibility for Russophobic activities,” he said.