Kremlin Loyalists Push Through Bill Designed to Limit Anti-Putin Protests

Cybercast News Service ^ | June 6, 2012 | Patrick Goodenough

[Olog-hai]

Russia’s State Duma, dominated by the party loyal to President Vladimir Putin, passed a controversial bill late Tuesday providing for harsh fines for unsanctioned political protests, following an unusual mini-filibuster by opposition members of the traditionally compliant lower house of parliament.

The move came two days before U.S. lawmakers consider a bill that would sanction Russian officials responsible for violations against human rights advocates and anti-corruption activists.

Named for Russian whistleblower Sergei Magnitsky, who died in custody in 2009, the bipartisan legislation would set up a public list of rights violators who would be denied U.S. visas or have their assets frozen. The Kremlin has warned of retaliation and the Obama administration is not supportive.

The Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2011 will be marked up by the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday, while parallel Senate legislation has been referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Putin’s recent return to the position he held from 2000-2008 has prompted fears of fresh attacks on civil liberties in Russia.

The Russian bill passed overnight bans any unsanctioned public rallies that could disturb the peace or block traffic, with fines of more than $9,000 for violations by citizens—a sixty-fold increase—and twice that for legal entities. (According to the official RIA Novosti news agency, the average Russian earns around $900 a month, although wages in Moscow and St. Petersburg are higher.) …

[Doogle]

sound familiar?