Russian lawmakers seek to triple prison terms for online calls to riot

A bill that would toughen criminal liability for calls to mass riots has been submitted to Russia's State Duma, the lower house of parliament. One of its authors, lawmaker Vasily Piskarev, announced the proposal, which changes both the penalty levels and creates a new, separate offense for calls made on the internet.

What the amendments provide

Under current Russian law, inciting riots carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison. The bill would raise that ceiling to four years.

Calls to riot made online, meanwhile, would become a distinct criminal offense. It would carry up to six years in prison, three times the current maximum.

The author's rationale

Piskarev explained the need for the changes by pointing to external threats. He said Russia's adversaries — in his words, the "collective West" and the "fugitive criminals, relocants, and foreign agents" under its control — keep trying to provoke citizens into taking part in various provocations and into committing crimes. These claims are the lawmaker's own assessment, and the source offers no evidence for them.

Status of the bill

The bill has already received favorable reviews from the Russian government and the Supreme Court. The source does not say when the Duma might consider it.

In Russia, the "foreign agent" label is applied to individuals and organizations that the authorities consider to be under foreign influence; it has also been attached to many journalists and activists who have emigrated.