Russian lawmakers approve bill that punishes online searches for information deemed extremist
發佈日期: 2025-07-23 20:27
TVB News
Russian lawmakers have approved a bill that punishes online searches for information that is deemed extremist.
This is the latest move by government authorities in their relentless crackdown on dissent.
The bill passed by the lower house, the State Duma, will next go to the upper house, where endorsement is all but certain.
After that, the bill will go to President Vladimir Putin to be signed into law.
The legislation punishes what it describes as "deliberately searching for and accessing extremist materials."
First-time offenders face a fine of up to the equivalent of 64 U.S. dollars.
The official definition of extremist activity is broad.
It includes opposition groups like the Anti-Corruption Foundation created by the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny and the "international LGBT movement."
Officials say ordinary internet users won't be affected and only those who methodically seek outlawed content will be targeted.
