Federation Council OKs bill on rallies
MOSCOW. June 6 (Interfax) - The Russian Federation Council has approved a bill increasing fines and toughening other forms of punishment for violations during public events, i.e. rallies, demonstrations, etc., in a 132-1 vote with 1 abstention.
In particular, the bill introduces a fine of up to 300,000 rubles for private individuals and 600,000 rubles for officials for violations during mass events. It also bans the wearing of masks and possession of alcohol and weapons at rallies.
These sanctions would be applied if some actions caused damage to people's health or property. At the present time, these fines are 100 rubles for individuals and up to 300 rubles for officials.
Also, a citizen would not be entitled to organize rallies if he/she has a record of crimes against public security or order, or if he/she committed at least two administrative offenses, including offenses related to the organization of mass events.
Those found guilty of breaching laws that regulate assemblies, rallies, demonstrations, processions and pickets could be sentenced to up to 200 hours of compulsory community service as an alternative to paying a fine.
People could face compulsory community service if their conduct at mass events creates any problems for pedestrians or car traffic, or results in damage to a person's health.
The new administrative sanction will not be applied to pregnant women, women with children below three years old, disabled people of the first and second categories, as well as some other groups of citizens.
After the bill takes effect, people may be fined not only for participating in various 'walks' and 'strolls' but also for calls to take part in them if this resulted in disturbing public order, breaking sanitary regulations, hampering the operation of or causing damage to infrastructural or communications facilities, or plantations.
"Participants in public events cannot cover their face, including by using masks, camouflaging devices, or other objects specially designed to complicate identification, possess weapons or objects used as weapons, or explosive and inflammable substances, and possess and (or) drink alcohol-containing products, beer and beverages on its basis," the bill says.
The document also stipulates that a court could recognize a person actually performing organizational and administrative functions as an organizer of a mass action not declared as a public event and subject this person to the above-mentioned sanctions.
The bill also adds provisions to the existing federal law "On assemblies, rallies, demonstrations, processions and pickets" under which special areas would be determined "for the expression of public opinion on important problems primarily of a sociopolitical nature."
