Russian legislators plan to imprison for “rehabilitation of Nazism”

The newspaper “Niezavisimaya gazeta” reports that a draft law “On countering the rehabilitation on the territory of independent countries which are former Soviet republics of Nazism, Nazi criminals and their abetters”, as well as the relevant amendments to the Russian Criminal Code will be submitted for consideration by the State Duma before Victory Day on 9 May.

The draft law was drawn up at the initiative of the Head of the Ministry for Emergencies Sergei Shoigu. It has already been presented in parliament at a special roundtable chaired by the Deputy Head of the Duma Committee on CIS matters, Konstantin Zatulin, and received a positive response from the Supreme Court.

It is planned that the law would be applied both to Russian, and foreign nationals. Those found guilty of rehabilitating Nazism could expect a sentence of from three to five years. They could also face a fine from 100 to 500 thousand roubles.

The law would also claim the right for Russia to create a special tribunal – a public commission intended to follow manifestations of pro-Nazi policy in CIS countries. It is envisaged that this would be formed on the basis of parity by the President of Russia, parliament and the Public Chamber. The tribunal would issue opinions regarding foreign politicians, parties and civic organizations suspected of revisionism. These would be of a recommendatory nature, but obligatory for consideration by State enforcement bodies.

A foreign national found to be implicated in the rehabilitation of Nazism would not be allowed into Russia, and if he did get there, would be tried according to Russian law. Furthermore, Russian parties, civic movements and the media caught rehabilitating Nazism would receive a warning from the Prosecutor General. This warning could lead to their being closed down by court order.

For republics of the former USSR seeing fit to doubt the results of the Second World War, the draft law envisages comprehensive measures : expulsion of ambassadors, full or partial blocking of transport and information communications, as well as a severing of diplomatic relations and state recommendations to the business community and civic organizations to break off contacts.

Bans are also envisaged on the activities of foreign organizations declared guilty on Russian territory.

As reported already, on 25 February Russia’s Prosecutor General Yury Chaika stated that denying the role of the Soviet people in winning the Great Patriotic War could become a criminal offence. The agency RBK reports his statement:

“I consider that denial of the victory of the Soviet people is at very least a violation of moral norms. In certain circumstances criminal liability could be introduced.”

The day before a similar initiative was put forward by the Minister for Emergencies and Co-Chair of the High Council of “United Russia”, Sergei Shoigu.

The parties “Yabloko” and “Pravoe delo” called for similar sanctions against those who support the rehabilitation of Stalinism.