Russian State Duma deputies have registered a draft bill criminalizing online propaganda of drugs. In accordance with it, the maximum punishment is seven-year imprisonment.
In particular, there is a proposal to add Article 230.3 (Propaganda of Narcotic Substances) to the Criminal Code of Russia. The article may include two parts: propaganda and advertising of drugs (punishable by 2-5 years in prison); and the same acts on the web (5-7 years).
The explanatory note specifies that ‘propaganda and advertising of drugs’ means the distribution of the information aimed at creating a neutral, tolerant or positive attitude towards narcotic agents.
At the moment, drugs promotion entails administrative liability in Russia; the maximum penalty is a fine of up to 5,000 rubles.
On October 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin called on Russian MPs to toughen anti-narcotics legislation by delivering prison sentences to the convicted of ‘drugs propaganda’ on the Internet.
