State Duma has approved notion of "extremist activity"

It took the deputies of the State Duma nearly two hours to approve the notion of "extremist activity" when they discussed in the second reading the presidential draft Law on Combating Extremist Activity.

Taking part in the discussion were representatives of the factions and deputies' groups.

Representatives of the left-wing associations in the State Duma - the KPRF and the Agro-Industrial factions - were flatly against the proposed wording of the notion of "extremist activity." In their opinion, the proposed notion has a too broad character, and not only political parties but also any citizen can be accused under this article of the Law.

The Yabloko faction was also against the proposed notion of "extremist activity." This was announced by its representative Sergei Mitrokhin. The leader of the People's Deputy Group, Gennady Raikov that some corrections should be made in the proposed notion.

The representatives of the left-wing associations believe that the notion - "the stirring up of social enmity" is too vague, and that any official can interpret it differently. As a result, some changes were made in it, and the majority of the State Duma deputies have approved the notion of "extremist activity" which was proposed by the legislative committee which is considered to be the basic committee in considering this draft law.

In accordance with this bill, extremist activity (extremism) implies in general the activity aimed at the forcible change of the foundations of the constitutional system and violation of the integrity of Russia; the undermining of the country's security; popularisation and demonstration in public of Nazi symbols; the financing of this activity and rendering it any services.