Display of “prohibited symbols” will be treated with occupational therapy

The Ministry of Justice proposed to include compulsory labor in the list of punishments for propaganda or demonstration of “Nazi” and “extremist” symbols

Vedomosti, citing a source close to the government, reported that these amendments to the Code of Administrative Violations are being prepared for submission to the State Duma after approval by the government commission on bills.

Currently, punishment under this administrative article is limited to a fine of up to two thousand rubles or administrative arrest for up to 15 days. The Ministry of Justice proposes to include in the law the possibility of assigning up to 100 hours of compulsory work.

According to the publication, in 2023, the number of those found guilty under the article of displaying “prohibited symbols” almost doubled compared to 2019, from 2,388 to 5,163 cases. In most cases, people were given fines.

At the same time, the share of fines collected and paid has decreased; the introduction of a new penalty is supposed to “increase the effectiveness of counteraction.”

The types of compulsory work for offenders are determined by local government bodies. They are appointed during their free time from their main work, study or service. By law, people cannot overwork more than four hours a day.

Protocols on the demonstration of “Nazi” and “extremist” symbols on Russians are drawn up, among other things, for pictures and videos on social networks with swastikas, rainbow flags and the Ukrainian trident.

In Moscow, over the past three months, two people were sent under administrative arrest for a pendant and a T-shirt with a trident; the court also ordered the confiscation and destruction of the items themselves with the image.

People are also fined for depicting Facebook* and Instagram* logos and depicting rainbow flags. In February, a resident of Nizhny Novgorod was sentenced to five days of arrest for earrings in the shape of frogs in rainbow colors.

In Moscow and Murmansk, activists were sent under arrest for a photograph of Alexei Navalny** and a scarf with his name.

In September, the court reviewed 24 reports against a Muscovite for “displaying Nazi symbols” in one day and sentenced him to 10 days of arrest.

* Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, is recognized as an “extremist” organization in Russia.
** Included in the list of “extremists and terrorists”.