Russia is going to introduce a criminal penalty of two years in prison for insulting the country’s officials on the internet or in the mass media. The respective amendment to the Russian Criminal Code was prepared by the chairman of the State Duma Committee on Security and Corruption Control, Vasily Piskarev, reports TASS, making a reference to the copy of the bill.

Amendments are going to be introduced in Article 319 of the Russian Criminal Code, which refers to accountability for public insult of a representative of the Russian government while performing his official duties.

Currently, a fine of 40,000 rubles, mandatory work for up to 360 hours or correctional work for a period of one year is set for this offense. Now, it is proposed to double the amount of the fine to 80,000 rubles, to increase the period of mandatory work to 460 hours, and the period of correctional work to two years.

Also, it is proposed to supplement the aforesaid article with a new provision with the accountability foreseen for the same actions committed on the internet or in the mass media. In this case, the offenders will face a fine of up to 1 million rubles, and they will be deprived of the right to hold certain positions for up to three years. In addition, they can be sent to mandatory work for a period of up to 480 hours and forced labor for a period of up to two years.

The maximum possible punishment for this offense is to be imprisonment for up to two years, with deprivation of the right to occupy certain positions for up to three years.

The Legislative Commission of the Russian government has approved this initiative.