Russia blocks websites calling for election boycott
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 8 July 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia blocks websites calling for election boycott, 8 July 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a43c5828.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 08, 2016
By RFE/RL
Russia's communications watchdog says it has taken action against four Internet sites to "limit the access to illegal information" related to the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Roskomnadzor said on July 8 that it had acted on a request from the Prosecutor-General's Office.
In a statement posted on its website, the regulator said the websites called for a boycott of the elections and for "coordinated actions by the public to organize protests in violation of current rules."
Two of the websites accepted to remove the offending material, it added, while the two others were blocked.
"Activity to disrupt elections to the lower house of parliament undermines the constitutional order of Russia," Roskomnadzor said.
Russian authorities have been accused of cracking down on protests and boosts control over social media and online content ahead of elections to the State Duma scheduled for September 18.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
