Duma may consider bill on criminal penalty for fake news about Russian army operations as early as on Friday - deputy Boyarsky

MOSCOW. March 1 (Interfax) - A bill introducing criminal penalties for fake news about Russian army operations may be discussed in the State Duma as early as on Friday, March 4, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Information Technologies and Communication, United Russia faction member Sergei Boyarsky said.

"The State Duma will hold an extraordinary meeting on Friday. I believe we will discuss the proposal of criminal penalty for the dissemination of false information about the activity of the Russian Armed Forces. I believe this is important and timely and I hope we will gain support," Boyarsky said on the Rossiya 24 television channel (VGTRK) on Tuesday.

The bill has yet to be submitted to the State Duma.

Chairman of the State Duma Security and Anti-Corruption Committee Vasily Piskaryov said on February 28 that the bill was being drafted. He also said that such crimes would be punishable with up to 15 years in prison. State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin backed up the bill.

According to Volodin, the State Duma will have a special meeting on March 4 to discuss government proposals on measures to support the economy, regions and the population.