Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday signed a law making it a criminal offense to desecrate the ribbon of St.
George, the black and orange military pattern often used for celebration of the Soviet triumph in World War II.
The brand-new law designates the ribbon as one of the official symbols of Russias military splendor that can be used just during occasions devoted to notable dates in Russia or focused on patriotic and morally-spiritual education of Russian people.
The brand-new designation means that desecration of the ribbon is now punishable under Russias rehabilitation of Nazism law, which states fines of approximately five million rubles ($68,450), five years of obligatory labor, or 5 years imprisonment for those who do not obey.Individuals will likewise face penalty for acts of desecration dedicated online and as part of a group.
The law does not define exactly what makes up desecration, one of its authors, State Duma Deputy Olga Zanko, stated in April that members of the public would not be prosecuted for wearing the ribbon of St.
George on a bag.
You are putting St.
Georges ribbon [on your handbag] since you take pride in it and respect the memory of your forefathers, Vedomosti priced quote Zanko as stating when the law was introduced.
But if you openly burn the ribbon, then that will be penalized, she added.