Russian Interior Ministry Proposes Criminal Penalties for Online Drug Promotion

The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) has submitted draft laws to the government that would introduce criminal liability for promoting drugs on the internet. This was reported by RIA Novosti, citing the ministry.

The MVD noted that the proposed amendments would affect the Criminal Code, the Code of Administrative Offenses, the Federal Law “On Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances,” and other legislative acts. However, the agency did not specify what penalties would be established under these new articles.

Currently, the promotion of drugs using the internet is addressed in the Code of Administrative Offenses (Part 1.1 of Article 6.13). This article provides for fines of up to 1.5 million rubles for legal entities and up to 30,000 rubles for individuals. Over the past two years, this article has been used to fine rappers Morgenshtern and Eldzhey, as well as interviewer Yuri Dud.