Putin Criminalizes Denial Of Nazi Genocide Against Soviet People

Putin signed a law criminalizing denial of the Nazi genocide of the Soviet people during World War II.

The law amends two articles of the Criminal Code covering desecration of military graves and glorification of Nazism.

Apa.az

Denying the genocide will carry a fine of up to 3 million rubles or a prison sentence of up to three years.

Approving the genocide or destroying graves will carry a fine of up to 5 million rubles or a prison sentence of up to five years.

The term genocide of the Soviet people has increasingly been used in Russia in recent years.

The Criminal Code amendments were pushed by Alexander Bastrykin.

Bastrykin is widely considered the leading advocate for the measure.

Meduza

The law was adopted by the State Duma on March 24 and signed by Putin on April 7.

The nearly 900-day siege of Leningrad is estimated to have killed about 1.1 million people.

In established scholarship, the term genocide has typically been applied to specific elements of Nazi policy.

The law criminalizes damage to monuments not only in Russia but also abroad.

“Russia criminalises denial of ‘Soviet genocide’ by Nazis during World War II Under the law, anyone who damages monuments to victims of the Soviet occupation – in Russia and abroad – will be jailed for up to 4 years The term “genocide of the Soviet people” has increasingly been used in Russia in recent years”

South China Morning Post

The Guardian reported that European fashion retailers are facing fresh questions over supply chain oversight after a fire killed at least 33 garment workers.

Clean Clothes Campaign spokesperson Ineke Zeldenrust said the audit system was fundamentally broken.

The law's repurposing of historical memory could have chilling effects on academic research.