Russia raises fines for protests

MOSCOW – The Russian parliament approved a law yesterday that will drastically increase fines for people who take part in protests that violate public order and is intended to discourage dissent against President Vladimir Putin.

Putin’s opponents say the Kremlin-backed bill, which now needs only his signature to go into force, will close avenues to peaceful protest and could radicalise the opposition movement.The law will increase the minimum fine for violations of public order or city rules during demonstrations from 5 000 roubles (N$252) to 10 000 roubles (N$2 520).The Federation Council, the upper house, passed the legislation after a short debate by 132 votes to one, with one abstention. The State Duma, the lower house, had already given its approval after a much longer debate that ran well into the night on Tuesday.The measure is widely seen as a response to a wave of anti-government protests that is intended to discourage further protests against Putin, who has dominated Russia since 2000 and began a new six-year term as president last month.The new law will also increase the maximum fine for the organisers of unsanctioned protests from 5 000 roubles to 1 million roubles, and people who violate public order could face fines of up to 300 000 roubles.Opposition leaders said the Kremlin was rushing the law through so that it could be in place before opposition demonstrations planned for next Tuesday. ($1 = 32.9987 Russian roubles) – Nampa-Reuters