Duma Moves to Criminalize Display of Any But Official Maps of Russian Federation

 Paul Goble

            Staunton, Sept. 16 – At the behest of Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Vasily Piskaryov, head  of the chamber’s security and anti-corruption committee, has introduced amendments to the Russian law on countering extremism that would impose arrests or fines for any display of maps of Russia that do not correspond to Moscow’s position.

            Under its provisions, any display of maps showing Crimea as part of Ukraine, the Kuriles as part of Japan or portions of the Russian Federation as potentially independent could bring 15 days of detention to individuals and one million ruble (15,000 US dollars) fines to institutions (kasparov.ru/material.php?id=63246B5AA68DB  and thinktanks.by/publication/2022/09/17/v-rossii-za-nerossiyskie-karty-kryma-budut-sazhat.html).

            According to Piskaryov, “In recent times, we are seeing that maps and other pictures where Crimea, the Kurile islands and other territories of our country are disputed. It is especially dangerous when such materials are directed at children” as this is “part of the hybrid war unleashed by the West against Russia.”