On Tuesday Russia's State Duma has approved in the first hearing the scandalous draft that could make enormous fines for taking part in or organizing unsanctioned protests.

      The draft was proposed by the ruling United Russia party in the wake of clashes between police and protesters at a downtown Moscow rally on May 7, the day of Vladimir Putin's inauguration. The bill could see the maximum fine for participation in illegal demonstrations go up from the current 5,000 rubles ($160) to 900,000 rubles ($29,000). The living wage in Russia is about 6,300 rubles ($202), so the fines look almost fantastic. However, after the first hearing the United Russia deputies announced probable fines falling to 300,000 rubles ($9,600) in the second hearing.

      Fines for the organizers of protests that fail to comply with federal regulations on demonstrations would shoot up from 50,000 rubles ($1,160) to 1.5 million rubles ($48,000), and this sum doesn't seem to be changed in the second hearing.

      None of the Duma's opposition parties supported the law. However, its passing was ensured by the United Russia’s parliamentary majority - 238 votes for, and 207 votes against. Now the draft has to go through another two hearings and be approved by the upper house of parliament. If there are no any obstacles, it will come into force in early June, just ahead of another planned anti-Putin rally in Moscow.

      Opposition leaders are sure the bill won't be able to stop the protests, but will only make people angrier and demonstrations - more radical. 

Sources: Lenta.ru RIA Novosti Image: kurs.ru