Parents fined for not standing during Russian anthem at school
A court in Nalchik, the capital of the Kabardino-Balkar Republic in Russia, fined parents who did not stand up during the Russian anthem. Their offense might not have incurred such serious consequences had someone not reported them.
9:11 PM EDT, July 23, 2024
The parents were judged based on an article concerning violating the procedure for the official use of state symbols. Judge Robert Zhurtov of the Nalchik district court in Kabardino-Balkaria fined them three thousand rubles ($30).
The offense occurred during a ceremony at school No. 33, where the parents of eight students remained seated during the performance of the Russian anthem. Based on an administrative article, the parents were judged for violating the procedure for the official use of state symbols.
Severe penalty for disrespecting the anthem: $30 fine
The court hearing occurred because, in early July, State Duma Deputy from United Russia, Andrei Kartapolov, published two videos from the school ceremony in Nalchik on his Telegram channel. The recordings show several people sitting while the Russian anthem plays.
The deputy wrote that he submitted a request "to the relevant authorities" because he considered it a demonstrative act of disrespect for the national anthem. The reaction came the very next day, and Kartapolov thanked them.
