›
›

Putin signs controversial law on public demonstrations

Putin signs controversial law on public demonstrations

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed a controversial new public assembly law with draconian penalties for government opponents, dpa reported.

The law allows Russian judges to impose substantially tougher fines and jail terms for defying demonstration bans than had been the case in the past.

Human rights advocates had called for Putin not to sign the law because it would repress dissent in the country. dpa sbk mat Author: Stefan Korshak