Peskov says doesn't know if amnesty to follow decriminalization of inciting hatred
MOSCOW. Oct 3 (Interfax) - Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov says he does not know whether persons convicted of inciting hatred or enmity and abasing dignity will be amnestied.
"I cannot tell you this now. I do not know. I cannot answer your question," Peskov when asked whether amnesty was possible following the decriminalization of the offense.
Peskov said the presidential amendments partially decriminalizing the offense came about because of the need for adjustment.
"The problem with the law was that many citizens had no malicious intent and scarcely knew what they were doing. This is why situations of the kind writer Sergei Shargunov talked about during the last 'Direct Line' [Putin's yearly Q&A session] happened," Peskov said.
It was Shargunov who proposed that law enforcement practice be reviewed, Peskov said. "The law enforcement practice demonstrated the imperfection of wordings and the need for adjustment, which was done," he said.