How Russia is implementing new laws to stifle dissent over the war in Ukraine

A growing number of Russians are being prosecuted under laws aimed at stifling criticism of Moscow’s military actions in Ukraine, Reuters reports.

Here’s a look at the laws imposed by the Kremlin and how they are enforced.

What new laws were passed in Russia after February 24?

Russia introduced major additions to two articles of the criminal code under a law passed on March 4.

Article 280.3 states that “public actions aimed at discrediting the use of the armed forces of the Russian Federation” are punishable by fines and prison terms of up to three years in lesser cases, or five years if damage to property, public order and security occurs.

Article 207.3 states that “public dissemination of deliberately false information about the use of the armed forces of the Russian Federation” is punishable by fines and imprisonment for up to 3, 5, 10 or 15 years, depending on the circumstances and whether the offense has ” serious results”.

What is the difference between the two offences?

Russia’s Justice Ministry this month issued a handbook for investigators and judges explaining how to distinguish between defamation of the military and the more serious offense of spreading false information, Russian media reported.

The Kommersant newspaper cited the handbook, according to which making a “statement about a false fact,” as opposed to expressing an opinion, is tantamount to spreading fake news.

How many cases and prosecutions are there?

Pavel Chikov, a human rights lawyer, said there are about 3,500 cases of defamation of the military and almost all those involved have been found guilty. These are initially treated as “administrative offences”, leading only to fines, but anyone who then speaks out further against the war risks criminal prosecution, he said.

More than 85 criminal cases related to “false information” had been opened by early August, according to Agora Legal Group, a human rights association.

The first such case, according to rights activists, was opened just a week and a half after the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Here are some of the more famous cases under investigation so far:

YEVGENY ROIZMAN: Former mayor of Yekaterinburg, Russia’s fourth largest city, who has repeatedly characterized Moscow’s actions in Ukraine as war and invasion and has been accused of defaming the armed forces. A court this week banned him from attending public events, using the internet or communicating without permission with anyone except his lawyer and relatives until September 29.

MARINA OVSYANNIKOVA: Former state TV journalist who protested live on air and on a Moscow street across from the Kremlin. She has been fined twice and earlier this month was charged with spreading false information about the armed forces, for which she faces up to 10 years in prison, her lawyer said. He is currently under house arrest.

ILYA YASHIN: Opposition politician accused, according to investigators, of lying about the military in a YouTube post about Russian actions in Bukha, near Kyiv, where Moscow has denied allegations that its forces committed atrocities. He has been in custody since June and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of spreading fake news.

VLADIMIR KARA-MURZA: The opposition activist was arrested on April 11. He had told the Arizona House of Representatives that President Vladimir Putin was “dropping cluster bombs on residential areas, civilian homes, hospitals and schools.” He is also on remand and faces up to 10 years for spreading false information.

ALEXEI GORINOV: The Moscow regional councilor was jailed for seven years in July after being convicted of spreading false information under Article 207.3. He had told a city council meeting in March that children were “dying every day” in Ukraine.

ANDREI NOVASHOV: Journalist of Siberia.Realities, a local program of the American broadcaster Radio Free Europe. He reposted a text on his social media page about the Russian bombing of Mariupol. He is currently under house arrest and faces up to 10 years in prison.