Russia can now jail people for 15 days for ‘disrespecting’ the government (Image: GETTY)
The newly-passed law can jail people and fine them for online posts that show a “blatant disrespect for society, the country, Russia’s official state symbols, the constitution, of the authorities.” Online users can be fined up to 100,000 roubles (£1,155). While repeat offenders can receive fines of up to twice as much or a stint of 15 days behind bars.
The ambiguous wording of the law has received backlash as reports have said any online criticism of the authorities could be seen as disrespectful.
Head of the Moscow-based Sova Centre, Alexander Verkhovsky, said people could face prosecution for jokes about parliament.
However, Russian officials have hit back as one lawyer said: “Soon we’ll be telling jokes about the authorities
