State Duma boosts penalties for extremism

The Russian State Duma has approved a series of measures to strengthen the government's ability to fight extremism, including a bill increasing the penalty for involvement in extremist activities.

The spread, storage and distribution of extremist materials is illegal under Russian law.

Media reports will also have to make clear that guilty organisations had been banned or shut down.

The punishment for extremist crimes will be tougher if a suspect admits being motivated by politics, ideology or hatred.

While telephone tapping of extremist suspects will be allowed, security services won't be able to provoke suspects to commit illegal acts.