Russia targets those spreading "false information" about the army. Threatens to confiscate property
A new bill, backed by all major parliamentary factions according to state media, is set to be presented to the State Duma on Monday. The Speaker of the lower house of the Russian parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin, has relayed this information.
1:22 PM EST, January 20, 2024
"Anyone who seeks to undermine Russia and betray it, should be punishable and compensate for the damage caused to the country with their wealth," wrote Volodin in a Telegram post.
This measure – he further explains – aims to punish "criminals" who "denigrate our country, soldiers, and officers of the special military operation".
Russian censorship: War critics are facing imprisonment
This is yet another restrictive measure adopted in Russia. As early as February 2022, shortly after the invasion of Ukraine, Russia passed a law criminalizing criticism of Putin's army. Since then, The Moscow Times reports that thousands of war opponents in Ukraine have been incarcerated under the new clause.
The maximum penalty for spreading "false information" about the army currently stands at up to 15 years in prison. This rule is being used by the authorities to stifle all forms of protest.
According to Russian law, any information about the conflict in Ukraine that does not come from an official government source can be labeled as "untrue" by the authorities.
Many reports transmitted by Russian media and government representatives are likely untrue. Such reports could be part of an information war waged by the Russian Federation.
