Russian lawmakers propose tougher penalties for calls for terrorism and unrest

Two United Russia lawmakers have drafted a bill to increase penalties for public calls for terrorism and mass unrest in Russia.

The government has backed the proposal, but it is not clear whether it has been submitted to the State Duma or when that might happen.

For calls for mass unrest, the bill would raise the maximum prison sentence from two years to four years, and online calls could bring up to six years in prison.

It would also raise the maximum term of court-ordered restrictions on offenders’ movements from two years to three.

For public calls for terrorism, the bill would set a two-year minimum and a six-year maximum for an additional penalty barring someone from certain jobs or activities; currently, that penalty has no minimum and a five-year maximum.

The lawmakers say the changes are intended to make criminal penalties a stronger deterrent.

OVD-Info says 102 criminal investigations were opened under the terrorism-calls law in 2025, down from 147 in 2024.