Thread by @KevinRothrock

Here’s an excellent primer on Russia’s wartime censorship laws from the SOVA Center for Information and Analysis. I’ll add my own brief summary: a thread on the forms of punishment introduced for different “violations.” 1/9 sova-center.ru/misuse/news/la…

Administrative Code 20.3.3 makes it a misdemeanor to “discredit the use of Russia’s military in operations to defend national interests and maintain peace” and outlaws public incitements to prevent such use of the military. First-time offenses are punishable by fines. 2/9

The second clause of this administrative code makes it an aggravated offense when the first offense is combined with calls for unpermitted protests. 3/9

Here’s where things get dangerous: any repeat violation of 20.3.3 within a year activates felony charges under Criminal Code 280.3 (Russia’s laws against hate speech). This is punishable by heavier fines and up to three years in prison. 4/9

Under aggravated conditions (rioting, negligent death, property damage, etc.), 280.3 violations are punishable by up to five years in prison. 5/9

Separately, Administrative Code 20.3.4 makes it a misdemeanor to advocate the imposition or extension of foreign political or economic sanctions against Russian individuals or entities. First-time offenses: fines. Repeat violations: up to three years in prison. 6/9

And now we come to the worst of it: Criminal Code 207.3, which makes it an instant felony to knowingly disseminate disinformation about any Russian armed forces engaged in “national-defense or peacekeeping operations.” First level offense: up to three years in prison. 7/9

Aggravated offenses (premeditated violations committed using someone’s “official position,” acts conducted in conspiracy with others, acts motivated by hatred or monetary gain) are punishable by up to 10 years in prison. (This is what Ovsyannikova will allegedly face.) 8/9

Finally, aggravated offenses “resulting in serious consequences” are punishable by up to 15 years in prison. And that’s the insanity the Kremlin has made the law of the land. Totalitarian stuff. 9/9