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Discussion on initiative to criminalize calls for sanctions on Russia is likely — Kremlin

On February 17, film director Nikita Mikhalkov suggested deprivation of citizenship as the punishment

MOSCOW, February 18. /TASS/. The possibility of criminalizing calls for sanctions on Russia can be discussed because the issue is relevant, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday.

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"It is not the first time that such an initiative has been put forward. I can’t say what the punishment will be - the withdrawal of citizenship or something else - it’s not up to us to decide. However, we live in a time when various restrictions are misused all the time so the issue is relevant. Clearly, such initiatives are likely to be discussed," Peskov pointed out.

The presidential spokesman refrained from commenting on the outcome of such discussions, saying that "this kind of initiatives definitely capture public interest."

Peskov noted that there was nothing new in film director Nikita Mikhalkov’s initiative for the withdrawal of Russian citizenship over calls for sanctions on the country. "Businessman Oleg Deripaska was the first to point out that it would be reasonable to develop a bill on the matter, though he did not mention such a tough punishment, he only said that it should be classified as a criminal offence," the Kremlin spokesman noted.

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Russia's domestic policy

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