MOSCOW, November 24. /TASS/. The Russian State Duma at its Thursday session approved the third reading of a bill introducing substantial fines for propaganda promoting non-traditional sexual relations, pedophilia and information capable of inducing gender reassignment surgery.
Previously, the Russian Code of administrative violations provided only for liability for LGBT propaganda among minors but now these provisions have been substantially expanded.
Propaganda is defined as the dissemination of information or public actions "directed at forming non-traditional sexual orientation," its appeal, "a distorted understanding of social equality of traditional and non-traditional sexual relations." If these actions do not have a criminal component, then fines for private individuals will range from 50,000 to 100,000 rubles (approximately $850-1,650) for officials - from 100,000 to 200,000 rubles (approximately $1,650-$3,300) and from 800,000 to 1 mln rubles (about $13,200-$16,500) for legal entities.
Propaganda targeting minors will result in greater fines. They will range from 100,000 to 200,000 rubles for private individuals, from 200,000 to 400,000 rubles (about $6,600) for officials and from 1 mln to 2 mln rubles (about $33,000) or the suspension of operations for up to 90 days for legal entities.
Propaganda in media outlets and on the Internet
Propaganda on the Internet or in media outlets will result in heavier fines. In the event of propaganda among adults, fines will range from 100,000 to 200,000 rubles (approximately $1,650-$3,300) for private individuals, 200,000-400,000 rubles ($3,300-$6,600) for officials and from 1 mln to 4 mln rubles (from $16,500 to $66,000) with the possible suspension of operations for legal entities. For similar propaganda on the internet or in the media targeting children, private individuals will be fined 200,000-400,000 rubles, officials - 400,000-800,000 rubles and legal entities - from 2 mln to 5 mln rubles (from $33,000 to $82,600).
The Code of administrative violations separately introduces liability for demonstrating non-traditional relations to minors or information inducing gender reassignment surgery. Fines for private individuals range from 50,000 to 100,000 rubles, for officials - from 100,000 to 200,000 rubles and from 800,000 to 1 mln rubles for legal entities. Disseminating such information via media outlets or the Internet will result in heavier fines, up to 200,000 rubles for private individuals, up to 400,000 rubles for officials and up to 4 mln rubles ($66,000) for legal entities.
Fines for foreigners and those without citizenship
According to the law, if foreigners or stateless individuals disseminate LGBT propaganda among adults, the fine will range from 50,000 to 100,000 rubles (roughly $850-1,650), while propaganda targeting minors will result in fines ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 rubles ($1,650-$3,300) with propaganda in the media and the Internet being an aggravating factor. In both cases, the fines are accompanied by deportation which may be preceded by detention of up to 15 days.
Fines for propaganda of pedophilia
According to new norms, pedophilia propaganda is defined as the dissemination of information aiming to justify or exonerate it as well as to make it appealing. For private individuals, fines will range from 200,000 to 400,000 ($3,300-$6,600) rubles, for officials - from 400,000 to 800,000 rubles ($6,600-$13,000) and from 1 to 4 mln rubles ($16,500-$66,000) for legal entities. For propaganda of pedophilia on the Internet or in the media, private individuals will face fines ranging from 400,000 to 800,000 rubles ($6,600-$13,000), officials - from 800,000 to 2 mln rubles ($13,000-$33,000) and legal entities will face fines ranging from 4 mln to 10 mln rubles (from $66,000 to $165,000). In both cases, the operation of a legal entity may be suspended for up to 90 days.
With the Federation Council’s approval and following its signing by the Russian president, the law will become effective on the day of its official publication.