Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law punishing heavy prison sentences for calls to act against Russia's security, as Moscow suppresses all voices opposing its military offensive in Ukraine.
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Under the new provisions, published Thursday on the portal of texts signed by Mr. Putin, public calls by individuals to act against the security of Russia will now be punishable by two to four years in prison. The sanction can be increased to 5 years in the case of appeals broadcast by the media and 7 years if they are made in an organized group.
He also initialed a text tightening the restrictions imposed on individuals and organizations designated as "foreign agents", a status used to suppress criticism of the Kremlin.
Another measure provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison for any Russian citizen participating in a conflict in a foreign country that goes against the interests of Russia.
Mr. Putin also signed a text providing for fines or even prison sentences of up to seven years for any holder of state secrets going abroad without prior authorization.
These texts are part of a battery of provisions adopted in recent weeks by parliament, and all that was missing was the signature of the Head of State to allow them to enter into force.
Since the beginning of the Russian military offensive in Ukraine on February 24, the Russian authorities have reinforced the repression of voices critical of power, blocking independent media and social networks.
Laws now also punish heavy prison sentences for any form of criticism that tarnishes the image of the army.
Several Russians, the opponents Ilia Iachine and Vladimir Kara-Mourza but also ordinary citizens, have already been imprisoned for such reasons pending their trial.
A Moscow municipal elected official, Alexei Gorinov, was sentenced to seven years in prison last week for denouncing the assault on Ukraine.
