In March 2022 the State Duma passed amendments to the Criminal Code allowing for real prison terms for an anti-war stance. One of the consequences of the aforementioned amendments is the creation of Article 207.3, implying punishment for "public dissemination of knowingly false information on the actions of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation’.

Those charged under this article are tried for "disseminating knowingly false information on the actions of the Armed Forces and artificially creating accusatory evidence, due to mercenary motives or for reasons of hatred’. These amendments have become publicly known as the law on fakes. Citizens caught for "fakes" face up to 10 years in prison.


Article 280.3 further solidified the likelihood of imprisonment for anti-war stance. This article introduces the concept of "Public actions aimed at discrediting the use of the Russian Armed Forces protecting the interests of the Russian Federation’.

This article essentially bans any kind of open conversation in regards to the Russian Armed Forces and/or their actions, by making this topic illegal and potentially dangerous. Criticism could now result in a fine of up to one million rubles or a prison term of up to five years.

The new articles of the Criminal Code contradict not only the norms of international law, but also the Russian Constitution. Thus, the vague and indefinite term "discredit" de facto means censorship of statements and opinions, which directly contradicts Article 29 of the Russian Constitution, which guarantees "freedom of thought and speech’.

We consider the current criminal cases another manifestation of political repressions in today's Russia. Here we talk about the prisoners of the "anti-war case" and explain how we can help them.