MOSCOW. July 18 (Interfax) - A bill proposing criminal liability for promoting and justifying extremist ideology has been submitted to the Russian State Duma, the head of the chamber's Security Committee Vasily Piskaryov said.
"The proposed amendments are intended for Article 280 of the Russian Criminal Code (public calls for carrying out extremist activities). There will also be liability for publicly justifying and promoting extremism equal to liability for calls to carry out extremist activities," Piskaryov told reporters on Tuesday.
Those found guilty of such crimes will face a fine of up to 300,000 rubles or up to five years in prison, he said.
"We believe, adopting our amendments will be an important preventive measure aimed first and foremost at protecting children and young people from the destructive influence of extremist ideology and attempts to draw them into unlawful and dangerous activities," Piskaryov said.
"This bill is also our response to the promotion of so-called mass shootings - mass murders at educational establishments and kindergartens," he said.
"Justifying such dreadful crimes and an attempt to portray them among young people as 'trendy' via the Internet and social media is an extremely dangerous tendency," he said.
"We've also recorded other attempts to publicly justify various extremist movements and manifestations. Adopting the proposed amendments will help effectively counter this evil and safeguard Russia's security," Piskaryov said.
The amendments were submitted by Piskaryov together with MPs Anna Kuznetsova, Pyotr Tolstoy, Andrei Kartapolov, and Ernest Valeyev.