we will Remind, on April, 1st has come into force the new article of the criminal code: 207.1 “Public dissemination of false information about circumstances that threaten the life and safety of citizens.”
in addition, the criminal code introduced article 207.2. “Public dissemination of false public interest information, which entailed grave consequences”.
As emphasized by the Supreme court in its review, fake the COVID-19 fall under the scope of article 207.1. As “the spread of novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) on the territory of the Russian Federation is currently led and may still lead to human casualties, damage to health of people, considerable material losses and violation of conditions of activity of the population…”.
Actions individuals can contain elements of criminal acts and to fall under article 2071 of the criminal code in cases where they consist of public distribution under the guise of reliable reports of false information about circumstances that threaten the life and security of citizens, including about the circumstances of the spread of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) on the territory of the Russian Federation, or to be taken in this regard measures to ensure the safety of the population, receptions and ways of protection from these circumstances. If the dissemination of such lies is a real public danger and harm, then criminal liability. While public dissemination of false information can manifest not only in the use of the media and information and telecommunication networks, but also in the dissemination of such information by meeting, rally, distribution of leaflets, hanging of posters, etc.
But the man could not be prosecuted under these sections 207.1 and 207.2, if spread fakie on the coronavirus until April 1. The Supreme court explained what is considered information of public interest when the fakes fall under article 207.2.
“a socially significant information can also be classified as information about circumstances that threaten the life and safety of citizens and (or) taken in this regard measures to ensure the safety of the population and territories, receptions and ways of protection from these circumstances,” the review says.
So, if the fakes has led to someone’s death or harm, the citizen accused under article 207.2. If “the impact is not occurred, the offense must qualify under article 207.1 of the criminal code”, said the Supreme court.
