Swearing Now A Crime In Russia

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31124, 29 July 1966, Page 13

Swearing Now A Crime In Russia

(N.Z. Press Assn. —Copyright? MOSCOW, July 28. Swearing is a crime, the Soviet Government has ruled. An order, enlarging on the new criminal laws announced on Tuesday, said that swearing in a public place would be classified as “petty hooliganism.” The punishment is 10 to 15 days in gaol or a fine of up to 30 roubles. The rule is expected to

I affect many Soviet citizens i Jas the Russian language is 11 rich. 1 The newspapers have been 1 demanding recently that foul ‘ mouths “be washed out with ! fines or gaol sentences.” Some of those who love s swearing have the title of i "Member of Advanced Social- i ist Labour Team,” one news- s paper said. “This is incom- t patible.” < The new order demands that swearers and people i who “insult other citizens” i be arrested, tried, and c punished within one day. <

■ It answered another persistent public demand by ruling that parents must pay either the fine or gaol upkeep of “hooligans” or drunks under 16 years of age. Hooligans will face up to seven years in gaol under the new decree, which sets out in detail the Kremlin’s measures to combat the young toughs who waylay peaceful citizens. The decree comes after the announcement on Tuesday of a determined programme to curb hooliganism and drunkenness. It was signed by

President Nikolai Podgorny. The seven-year sentence, which can be imposed on hooligans who use an offensive weapons, replaces a previous five-year maximum. Besides making punishment stricter, the new decree sajs that a hooligan can be dropped to the bottom of the waiting list for a muchcoveted new flat. It also speeds up the legal process and permits local police chiefs to levy fines without the case going to court.