Russia proposes 6-year prison for online calls to unrest
What else can be changed: Increase the maximum term of deprivation of liberty for incitement to mass riots without using the internet and mass media from two to four years.
Consensus
- A draft law was introduced to the State Dumas
- The law proposes increasing penalties for inciting mass disturbances
- The maximum penalty for inciting mass disturbances via internet or media is proposed to be increased to six years in prison
- The draft law also includes provisions for increased penalties for public justification of terrorism and violence against officials
- The draft law was prepared by deputies Vasiliy Piskarev and Eduard Valeev
- The government and the Supreme Court reportedly gave positive feedback on the draft law
Points of divergence
- The draft law proposes extending the ban on using social media, messengers, and other internet resources for those convicted of justifying or propagating terrorism beyond their prison term, up to six years — novaya_eu
- The number of crimes related to terrorist propaganda increased from 393 in 2021 to 967 in 2024, and 781 in the first half of 2025 — novaya_eu
- The draft law includes a new Article 3.1 of Article 212 of the Criminal Code, introducing penalties of up to five years of forced labor or six years in prison for inciting mass disturbances via internet, social media, messengers, or media — tg_theinsider
- The draft law proposes increasing the maximum penalty for participation in mass disturbances or violence against citizens from two to four years in prison, and increasing forced labor to four years and restriction of freedom to three years — tg_theinsider
- The draft law's justification includes foreign interference, with references to 'hostile states' organizing protests and 'active external pressure' from foreign and international organizations — tg_theinsider
- The draft law cites the 2023 mass unrest at Makhachkala airport and the March 2024 attack at Crocus City Hall as examples justifying the legislation — tg_theinsider
Coverage (2 sources)
- A bill for a multiple increase in the term for incitement to 'mass riots' was submitted to the State Duma — Новая газета Европа
- Law on 6 years in prison for inciting disorder via the internet was submitted to the State Duma. The toughening is explained by Western machinations... — The Insider