The lower house of Russia's parliament, the State Duma, has passed a bill that seeks to crack down on individuals convicted of disseminating 'deliberately false information' about the country's military. The bill, which swiftly received approval in the Duma, is expected to go through the upper house of parliament and be signed into law by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The proposed legislation aims to enhance the punishment for those who engage in what Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin described as 'slinging mud at our country and our troops.' If enacted, it would allow authorities to confiscate the assets, money, and valuables of individuals convicted of publicly inciting 'extremist activities,' attempting to harm the state's security, or discrediting the armed forces.
The move to criminalize the discrediting of the Russian military is part of a broader government crackdown on dissent following the deployment of troops to Ukraine in early 2022. Volodin emphasized the need to hold accountable those who seek to betray or destroy Russia, asserting that they must face punishment and compensate the country for any damage caused through the seizure of their property.
However, it appears that the proposed law does not include real estate as an asset subject to confiscation, distinguishing it from the severe Soviet-era legislation that allowed for the seizure of housing. Pavel Krasheninnikov, head of the Duma legal affairs committee, clarified that the aim is not to revive Soviet-style confiscation practices.
Critics argue that the existing law against discrediting the military has already been employed to suppress dissent and silence critics of President Putin. Activists, bloggers, and ordinary citizens who have spread what authorities deem 'fake news' or have justified terrorism have faced lengthy prison sentences under this legislation.
The bill's passage in the Duma signals the government's determination to further clamp down on the spread of information perceived as damaging to the reputation of the Russian military. As the legislation advances, concerns over the potential stifling of free expression and the targeting of individuals critical of the government continue to be raised.
If the bill becomes law, it could have far-reaching implications for freedom of speech in Russia, further restricting the ability of individuals to voice dissenting opinions or engage in critical discourse regarding the military. With President Putin's expected signature, the legislation appears set to be enacted, solidifying the government's resolve to limit the spread of what it deems false information in the country.
