Ukrainian parliament tightens liability for crimes against journalists

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, 341 MPs voted for a respective decision at a parliament meeting on Tuesday, February 2.

The law amends Article 171 of the Criminal Code, proposing to increase fines for these offenses. In particular, the illegal seizure of materials collected, processed and prepared by journalist and technical means they use in their professional activity, the illegal denial of access to information, an illegal ban on coverage of certain topics, showing certain individuals, criticizing officials, as well as any other intentional obstruction of a journalist's legitimate professional activity, will be punishable by a fine of 500 to 1,000 non-taxable minimum incomes or arrest for up to six months, or restriction of liberty for up to three years.

Similarly, lawmakers doubled fines for influencing journalists in any way in order to obstruct their professional duties or to prosecute journalists in connection with their lawful activities.

If the above actions were committed by an official using his official position or by prior agreement with a group of persons, the perpetrators face a fine of up to 3,000 non-taxable minimum incomes, which is four to six times higher than the current figure.

The law also updates the wording of Part 4 of Article 345-1 of the Criminal Code, which provides criminal liability, in the form of imprisonment for a term of 7 to 14 years, for the threat of murder, violence, destruction or damage to the property of journalists, their close relatives or family members, intentional infliction of light, moderate or serious bodily injuries to such persons in connection with journalists' legal professional activity, committed repeatedly or by prior conspiracy by a group of persons or an organized group.

op