The State Duma will soon consider Criminal Code amendments increasing punishment for involving children in crimes through the internet.
The bill being prepared for consideration proposes adding a new aggravating circumstance to Criminal Code Article 150, ‘Involving a minor in the commission of a crime’, and Article 151, ‘Involving a minor in antisocial acts’: committing the relevant offences through information and telecommunications networks, including the internet. The Russian government has already supported the initiative.
"According to the Judicial Department at the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, last year 563 people were convicted under Article 150 of the Criminal Code for involving minors in crimes. A further 174 people were convicted under Article 151," Vladimir Gruzdev, chairman of the board of the Association of Lawyers of Russia, previously told Rossiyskaya Gazeta. "Offenders today often use messaging apps and social networks to involve teenagers in criminal activity. The initiative increases the penalties for those who use electronic technology to involve teenagers in unlawful activity."