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Bill banning fines on citizens for liking social media posts submitted to State Duma

In November 2023, the government issued a statement reiterating that its stance on the issue had not changed

© Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS

MOSCOW, January 12. /TASS/. Russian presidential candidate from the New People party Vladislav Davankov has proposed that a provision be included in the Russian administrative code on inciting hatred and discrediting the Russian army that excludes liking social media posts from being deemed unlawful.

The explanatory note states that the bill is proposed to make the justice system more fair and clarify judicial practices in cases related to indictments for reactions to posts on social networks.

In September 2023, the Russian government rejected the bill, arguing that the explanatory note to the draft law "did not contain statistics or any other information indicating systemic law enforcement problems and confirming the need for the proposed changes." In November 2023, the government issued a statement reiterating that its stance on the issue had not changed.

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