The Federation Council approved the law on punishment for fakes about the work of government agencies abroad

At a plenary session on March 23, members of the Federation Council unanimously approved a bill that introduces criminal liability for disseminating false information about Russian government agencies working abroad and discrediting them. The meeting was broadcast on YouTube.

Earlier, the bill was supported by deputies of the State Duma. Now the law must be signed by Vladimir Putin.

The amendments are in addition to amendments made in early March to the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offenses, introducing liability for the dissemination of false information about the actions of the Russian Armed Forces.

For the public dissemination of fakes about the work of state bodies abroad, a fine of 700 thousand to 1.5 million rubles will be imposed. or imprisonment for up to three years. For the dissemination of false information using one’s official position, or by a group of persons, or “with the artificial creation of evidence for the prosecution”, as well as for selfish motives or “motivated by political, ideological, racial, national or religious hatred or enmity”, the punishment will be tougher: a fine from 3 million to 5 million rubles. or imprisonment for up to ten years. If the dissemination of false information leads to serious consequences, then the term is extended to 15 years.