RTThu, 20 Jun 2019 16:52 UTC
Protesters hold a banner denouncing United Russia party as “the party of crooks and thieves”.
The Russian people are free to criticize the authorities on any level, Vladimir Putin said when asked about a law which opponents say could be used by officials to punish people who speak out against them.
"The criticism of power has to be free. People have the right and have to draw attention to problems, including those in the work of the institution of power. It's obvious," Russian President Vladimir Putin said before explaining that the main goal of the law is to protect Russia and its people from insults.
"I absolutely agree that nobody can abuse this legislation to restrict the right of the people to criticize the authorities on any level. We will be monitoring such things," he added.
The way the law is implemented has to correspond with its goal.
The legislation, which was signed into law in March, changed regulations in media, information technology, and data protection. The changes make offensive online speech against symbols of Russia and institutions of power a fineable offence. Websites that fail to delete this type of content after a complaint may also be suspended. An insult targeting an official may result in a fine under the new rules if it directly relates to their actions in office.
Comment: Putin vows accountability for police officers complicit in Golunov drug scandal
All officers involved in planting drugs on independent journalist Ivan Golunov must face penalties, Vladimir Putin said, urging more oversight over the police's counter-narcotics department.
"Law enforcement agencies should be controlled to eliminate any wrongdoing, so they don't put people in prison just to 'tick a box,'" Russian President Vladimir Putin said during the annual Q&A session when asked about Ivan Golunov, who was briefly imprisoned under dubious drug charges.
He went on to tell the audience that two high-ranking police generals lost their jobs following the scandal, but further action shouldn't be restricted to these dismissals. "I hope that there will be an inquiry to find those responsible for this abnormal situation," Putin added.
He also suggested the Interior Ministry and FSB set up a task force to keep an eye on police counter-narcotics units.
Golunov, who investigated corruption among Moscow officials, was handcuffed in central Moscow earlier this month and was accused by the police of possessing and selling drugs. He denied being a drug dealer and insisted that he had been framed by corrupt officers.
His arrest sparked massive rallies in Moscow and beyond, with Golunov receiving support from Russian journalists and public figures, who demanded a thorough inquiry into the alleged abuse of power by the police. Three leading newspapers printed nearly identical front pages on Monday, running a joint statement in support of the jailed journalist.
Last week, Russia's interior minister announced that Golunov was cleared of all charges due to a lack of evidence against him. He was released from custody and was met by a cheering crowd of supporters. Officers suspected of planting drugs to justify his prosecution were eventually suspended and now face an investigation.
Comment: Putin vows accountability for police officers complicit in Golunov drug scandal