Tear down propaganda poster, face 5 years jail
There is a growing problem with people tearing down and damaging pro-war posters and symbols, Russian lawmakers explain as they adopt new repressive legislation.
A new law that threatens perpetrators with up to five years of jail for tearing down pro-war propaganda posters and symbols was this week adopted by the State Duma, Russia’s lower part of parliament.
Damage to war posters is a growing problem, the legislators admit in a description of the new law.
The bill was approved in a second and third reading on 19 February, OVD-info reports.
The new legislation significantly sharpens article 167 in the Russian criminal code. Until now, deliberate harm to property could be punished with up to two years jail and more serious cases of hooliganism, arson and explosions - up to five years.
From now on, «any destruction or damage to property inflicted on basis of political, ideological motivation, race, national or religious hate or animosity to any social group» will qualify for five years of jail, OVD-info reports.
Members of the Putin-loyal assembly originally proposed the new legislation in spring 2024, arguing that there is a growing need to clamp down on «destruction and harm to the property of people and organizations that support the special military operation with placing visual pro-war information on their buildings, installations and cars.»
