MOSCOW. Dec 8 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a bill introducing up to 10 years' imprisonment for actions aimed at violating Russia's territorial integrity.
The document has been published on the official online database of legal information.
The law stipulates criminal liability for the disposition of part of Russia's territory or other actions aimed at violating its territorial integrity (except for delimitation, demarcation, or re-demarcation of Russia's state borders with neighboring states). Someone found guilty of said offense may be imprisoned for a term ranging from six to ten years.
In addition, the legislation introduces administrative liability and fines for public calls for actions aimed at violating Russia's territorial integrity, provided that such an offense has been committed by a particular individual for the first time. Administrative fines for ordinary citizens will range from 30,000 rubles to 60,000 rubles, for officials from 60,000 rubles to 100,000 rubles, and for legal entities from 200,000 rubles to 300,000 rubles.
Larger fines will be imposed in cases when public calls are made via the media, the Internet, or via other information telecommunications and electronic networks. They will range from 70,000 rubles to 100,000 rubles for ordinary citizens, from 100,000 rubles to 200,000 rubles for officials, and from 300,000 rubles to 500,000 rubles for legal entities.
If the same person has committed this offense more than once within a year, they will be subject to criminal liability.