31 Mar 2020 11:38

Duma passes bill on up to 5-bln-ruble fines on cos for fakes about epidemics

MOSCOW. March 31 (Interfax) - The Russian State Duma has passed legislation punishing legal entities for disseminating knowingly false information posing danger to people's lives and safety.

The amendments to Article 13.15 of the Code on Administrative Offences propose adding new sections, 10.1 and 10.2.

Section 10.1 would punish for knowingly spreading "false information disguised as credible reports about circumstances posing a threat to citizens' lives and safety" in the media and on information and telecommunications networks.

The dissemination of knowingly false information about measures to ensure public and territorial safety, techniques and methods of protection against said circumstances would also be punishable, with legal entities facing fines of between 1.5 million and 3 million rubles, with or without confiscation of the object of the administrative offense.

Section 10.2 would regulate the dissemination in the media and on information and telecommunications networks of knowingly false information of public significance disguised as credible stories, which have led to a death, health harm or property damage, mass disruption of public order and (or) public safety, the shutdown of vital public services, transport or social infrastructure, credit institutions, energy, industrial or communications facilities.

Such violations would result in a fine for legal entities of between 3 million and 5 million rubles with or without confiscation of the object of the administrative offense.

Re-offending would result in a fine of between five and ten million rubles for legal entities, with or without confiscation of the object of the administrative offense.

A note to the bill says that circumstances posing a threat to public safety and life (Section 10.1) would include "natural and man-made disasters, environmental emergencies including epidemics, epizootics, and other circumstances resulting from accidents, dangerous natural phenomena, catastrophes, natural and other disasters, which have caused or may cause the loss of human life, health harm and environmental damage, substantial material losses and public life disruptions."