MOSCOW, June 6 (Itar-Tass) — The State Duma's answer to the Opposition's "work-by-rule strike" during the discussion of the controversial rallies bill on May 5 was "strict compliance with the house procedure," State Duma speaker Sergei Naryshkin told reporters on Wednesday. The house will continue to follow this procedure in the future, Naryshkin said.
"The discussion of the lawbill was tense yesterday; we went over all the amendments during eight or nine yours; there were some 430 of them. Despite political differences at the Duma, working by the Book enables us to consider and adopt the most complex laws.
"Some lawmakers from A Just Russia faction sincerely stated that they sabotaged /the review of the document/, and instead of discussing specific amendments they read documents, which, perhaps, were quite important. I did not stop them as State Duma speaker so that they have no reasons to accuse me of not letting the Opposition have their say," Naryshkin said.
Answering the question if such practice would continue, the speaker replied that "the practice of strict compliance with the house regulations will continue in the future."
On Tuesday, the State Duma approved the 2nd and 3rd reading of the bill envisioning large fines for violations at rallies, in a marathon ten-hour session that ended just before midnight.
The parliament voted for the bill 241-147. A Just Russia leader Sergei Mironov reproached his colleagues for approving the law.
"You ought to be ashamed when the procedure and common since are trampled upon at the State Duma and there is absolute disrespect for our people," he said ahead of the voting.
Initially, the bill, drawn by a group of United Russia lawmakers led by Alexander Sidyakin, proposed up to 1.5-million-rouble fines for violations during public events. After debates, the sum was reduced to 300,000 roubles for ordinary citizens and 600,000 roubles for officials.
It introduces differentiated sanctions for violating the established procedure for organizing or holding a rally. Following are some of the amendments.
The organizers' violating the established procedure for rallies is punished by a fine of 10,000 to 20,000 roubles or 40 hours of community work, the fine for officials ranges between 15,000 and 30,000 roubles, while for legal entities it is between 50,000 and 100,000 roubles.
The fines for holding public events without due notification are 20,000 to 30,000 roubles or up to 50 hours of community work for citizens, 20,000 to 40,000 roubles for officials and 70,000 to 200,000 roubles for legal entities.