Criminal liability for repeat violation of demonstrations law constitutional although imperfect - Barshchevsky
MOSCOW. Jan 24 (Interfax) - The provision imposing criminal liability for repeat violation of demonstration rules complies with the constitution but needs to be improved, the government's representative to the Constitutional Court Mikhail Barshchevsky said.
"To my mind, we currently have a mixed structure: a series of administrative punishments is followed by criminal liability... And then an administrative penalty again. It appears that the degree of public danger escalates, while the degree of liability declines," Barshchevsky said at the Tuesday meeting of the Constitutional Court on the appeal filed by Ildar Dadin, who had been sentenced for repeat violation of the demonstrations law.
"Do agree that the structure looks rather strange. It is somewhat inaccurate," he said.
"I do not like Article 212.1 of the Russian Penal Code [imposing criminal liability for repeat violation of demonstration rules]. Does this mean it is unconstitutional? No, it does not," Barshchevsky said.