Russian law introduced which makes searching for Pussy Riot videos illegal
A new law is set to be introduced in Russia, which will make it illegal for fans to watch certain music videos by Pussy Riot that are deemed “extremist” content.
The new law will be made official in September, and plans to ensure that those who have “deliberately searched for knowingly extremist materials” are punished. The Russian government’s justice ministry has since shared a list of 5,000 pieces of content that are set to be illegal, ranging from music to books.
Pussy Riot have had several of their videos listed as “extremist” since 2012, including ‘Free the Cobblestones’, ‘Kropotkin Vodka’, ‘Death to Prison, Freedom to Protest’, and ‘Putin Has Pissed Himself’.
Those found guilty of searching for the aforementioned Pussy Riot videos could be fined up to 5,000 rubles, which is the equivalent of £47.
However, the new law has been criticised heavily, even by those that are typically supportive of Vladimir Putin’s regime.
Yekaterina Mizulina, head of the Safe Internet League, who works closely with the Kremlin, wrote on Telegram (via The Moscow Times): “We actively monitor this kind of [‘extremist’] content and share findings with law enforcement as part of our chartered mission,” Mizulina said.
“What’s most striking is that under the draft law, even Interior Ministry officials monitoring such content could technically be acting illegally. And any private citizen who reports, say, [potential school shooters] to law enforcement could also face fines,” she added.
Mizulina concluded: “We actively monitor this kind of [‘extremist’] content and share findings with law enforcement as part of our chartered mission.”
Meanwhile, Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of the state-funded RT network, also hit out at the bill, writing on Telegram, “How are we supposed to carry out investigations and throw shade on all types of extremist groups like FBK if we are barred from even reading about them?”
Pussy Riot rose to prominence in 2012 when they performed in Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, which led to band members facing criminal convictions. Last year, it was reported their story was being adapted into a television series.
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