Since June 9, 2012, rallies and street processions in Russia have been held under the new rules. Legislators adopted the relevant amendments to the "Law on Assemblies, Meetings, Demonstrations, Processions and Pickets", as well as the Code of Administrative Offenses. Changes in the legislation significantly tightened the requirements for protesters.
After approval by the President of Russia and official publication in the press, new legislation on mass events came into force. The first thing that catches your eye: the increased responsibility of the organizers of rallies and demonstrations for all kinds of violations. The maximum fine for citizens will now be 300 thousand rubles, and for officials - 600 thousand. Legal entities guilty of violating the requirements of the administrative code during rallies are now facing a fine of up to 1 million rubles. In some cases, the law provides for punishment in the form of compulsory labor. Responsibility for violations will be valid for a year until the statute of limitations.
There are new bans on protesters. Now you cannot protest while intoxicated and hide your face during the rally. It will not be possible to disguise the public action as "festivities". The rally organizers will not be able to become individuals with an outstanding criminal record or who have been repeatedly prosecuted for violations of the administrative law governing the holding of mass rallies. Some of the current leaders of the "non-systemic" opposition, therefore, will no longer be able to submit an application for participation in the mass event. Shares, as the law says, must end no later than 22 hours.
The amendments to the law, however, somewhat expanded the possibilities for discussing issues of concern to the society and expression of opinions. Now in the regions of the country may appear special places - the so-called "Hyde Parks." Such shares will not require prior approval. The main thing is that the number of participants should be at least 100 people. At the same time, the authorities were asked to identify places where mass events are prohibited.
The purpose of the amendments, RIA Novosti notes, was to ensure the observance of the legitimate rights and interests of all citizens of the country, including those who do not consider it necessary to participate in protests. Legislators are confident that tightening responsibility will make political actions in the country more predictable and civilized, and citizen participation in rallies more secure.
