On Sunday, the Pirate Party of Russia held its third congress to announce plans to seek official registration according to the new law.

      The party leader, Pavel Rassudov, said the party plans to apply for registration with the Justice Ministry after a bill radically softening rules of party registration comes into force. This will probably happen on Monday, April 9.

      The party will announce its official platform at the next congress in May. But it is already clear that the main party's duty is a campaign for decriminalization of online file sharing, reform of copyright legislation and introduction of “direct electronic democracy,” Rassudov said.

      The third party's congress gathered only 12 people in person, while 19 others logged on from the regions to participate via online videolink. It allowed to spend only $50 for the congress's organization, comparing to an estimated 1 million rubles ($34,000) for an offline event of the same kind. The party leader promises that the next meeting, dedicated to the party's registration, will gather as many people as possible.

      The Pirate Party of Russia is active since 2009, but failed to be registered in 2011 on suspicion of “piracy on high seas,” which is a criminal offense. Later the Justice Ministry denied such suspicions.

      According to Pavel Rassudov, there are 5,000 party members and 30,000 supporters. It is more than enough for successful party's registration following the new law, which only demands 500 members to be in a party. 

Sources: Interfax Newscom.ru Image: og.ru