Russia imposes first ‘false’ news fines

Russia has imposed the first fines for the publication of “fake news” about the Russian military after a new law came into force further restricting freedom of expression following the invasion of Ukraine.

A 26-year-old man was picked up with a placard in the city of Plyos and fined 30,000 roubles ($A292) for denigrating the Russian army, a court in the Ivanono region northeast of Moscow said on Monday.

According to a law signed by President Vladimir Putin on Friday, people who publicly “denigrate” the Russian army can be held responsible.

In addition, anyone who spreads “fake news” in the media about the Russian armed forces currently fighting in Ukraine faces up to 15 years in prison.

The independent news portal Meduza listed several cases of convictions.

According to it, a man from the city of Kostroma, about 300km northeast of Moscow, has to pay the equivalent of almost $A295 after he was caught with a poster calling Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a “special operation for taxes”.

Russia itself calls the action in the neighbouring country a “special military operation,” and the use of words such as invasion or war are banned.

Anti-war demonstrations have also been banned in Moscow, with authorities citing the coronavirus pandemic.

Thousands have already been arrested across the country since the start of the war.

Russia imposes first ‘false’ news fines
Independent Information