MOSCOW — More than a 12 months after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the parliament in Moscow on Tuesday broadened a controversial legislation punishing the “slander” or “discrediting” of the nation’s navy.

Heavy penalties now apply not solely to criticism of the armed forces, but in addition of “volunteers” combating in Ukraine, which incorporates folks recruited to the infamous Wagner non-public safety firm.

“All those who today risk their lives to guarantee the security of the country and its citizens are now protected from provocation and lies,” the pinnacle of the State Duma decrease home, Vyacheslav Volodin, wrote on his Telegram channel after the laws was handed.

A conviction below the brand new legislation might lead to as much as 15 years imprisonment.

The amendments adopted calls for by Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin, who has recruited 1000’s of Russian convicts to struggle on probably the most contested components of the entrance line, reminiscent of the town of Bakhmut.

The 61-year-old had demanded that politicians shield the mercenaries — who’re formally thought of volunteers — from slander.

In latest months, Russia’s management already massively curtailed freedom of expression within the nation in reference to the struggle in Ukraine, which is formally termed a “special military operation.”

Several opponents of the struggle have been sentenced to years in jail for allegedly discrediting the military, though many of those are internationally thought of to be political prisoners.

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