INTERNET FREEDOM INTERVAL : RUSSIA'S PRECIS

MOSCOW : Russia criminalising ' extremist content '. Harsh laws mean internet freedom lies at risk.

RUSSIAN LAWMAKERS on Thursday advanced a bill that would outlaw opening or searching for content online judged '' extremist '', such as songs glorifying Ukraine and material by feminist rock band Pussy Riot.

Critics say the law, which has drawn a rare backlash from across Russia's political spectrum, would trifle internet freedom.

Russian authorities already block access to thousands of websites accused of hosting '' extremist '' content.

The latest proposed legislation threatens fines of up to 5,000 rubles [ $64 ] on anyone found to have deliberately searched for or gained access to material listed as extremist by the justice ministry.

More than 5,000 entries are on the list,  including web pages, political slogans, books, artworks and music albums.

Among them are songs glorifying Ukraine, blog posts by feminist rock band Pussy Riot and information on the Wikipedia page for dynamite.

Deputies in the lower house State Duma backed the bill by 283 votes to 22 in second reading.

It is not clear whether the government supports the bill.

The Kremlin said the proposal needed '' more detailed explanations '' to allay people's  concerns.

''I am not familiar with the initiative by the deputies,'' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a response to a question from AFP.

The World Students Society thanks AFP and The Express Tribune.