Tiraspol, 1 June. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. According to a version submitted by the president, spreading knowingly false information offending the honour and dignity of another person or tarnishing his/her reputation shall be punished by a fine at an amount of 400−600 estimated rates of minimum wages (RUMZP) or compulsory labour for up to 80 hours.
At the same time, a libel occurring in a public statement, publicly displayed work or in the media shall be punished by a fine of 600−800 estimated rates of minimum wages (RUMZP) or compulsory labour for up to 120 hours.
A stricter punishment will be imposed for libelling against judges, a prosecutor, an investigator, an interrogator, a judicial enforcement agent, as well as for the similar offence coupled with accusations of committing a grave or very grave crime.
As is noted in the explanatory note to the draft law, the problem of criminalising libel is still relevant.
«The head of state has been requested by public organisations, among others, to submit the corresponding bill to the Supreme Council. Petitioners emphasise the necessity to put a stop to any libel, lie, false information and accusations occurring in public statements or in the media, referring to the experience of the Russian Federation and European states," reads the document.
The president recalled that before 2012 the PMR's Penal Code had provided for criminal liability for spreading information offending the honour and dignity of another person. However, following Russia's example of liberalising the penal legislation, libelling and insulting had been decriminalised. Administrative liability had been introduced instead. (Russia criminalised libel again only half a year later).
A similar bill was submitted to the Supreme Council in 2015, but on various reasons failed to meet with MPs' support.
«The legislative protection of honour, dignity and business reputation is, first of all, a question of securing citizens' rights and the possibility of exercising them. Delegating rights to any individual or legal entity, the state is obliged to ensure a relevant system of guarantees for exercising and protecting them. Securing the fairest, fastest and most efficient restitution or indemnification is one of the most important tasks faced by the state," concluded the president.
