The Rostec State Corporation has developed an initiative to supplement the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation with a new Article 163.1, aimed at combating demands for money to remove or refute defamatory information on the Internet. The proposal arose after a series of court cases against Telegram channel administrators, who were previously tried under the article on extortion.
The new article provides for punishment for "inducing the transfer of property or rights to property" under the threat of spreading information that could harm the reputation or legitimate interests of the victim. Sanctions range from restriction of freedom for up to 2 years to imprisonment for up to 10 years, depending on the severity of the act. For example, the use of information about minors or the actions of an organized group may lead to the maximum term.
Rostec emphasized that the current article on extortion does not take into account the specifics of digital crimes. Channel administrators, unlike classic extortionists, do not threaten physical violence, and their actions have less public danger. However, the existing version of the Criminal Code equates them to "bandits with soldering irons," which leads to disproportionately severe sentences.
Since 2022, cases of initiating criminal cases against Telegram channel owners have become more frequent in Russia. They are accused of demanding money for "protection from negativity," but lawyers insist that such situations require a separate legal assessment.
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