MOSCOW, September 4 (RAPSI) – The Russian government has voiced on Thursday support for a bill seeking tougher penalties for offenses against public order and interfering with public transportation.

The bill introducing amendments to the Criminal Code as well as the Administrative Offences Code was proposed and submitted to the State Duma in early June in the aftermath of numerous drunken in-flight brawls. 

Currently, under Russian legislation perpetrators face hooliganism charges and a 15-day administrative arrest. As a rule, they get off with 500-ruble ($14) fines.

Russia’s largest air carrier Aeroflot proposed earlier that in-flight brawls be considered a criminal offence punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

The bill defines “violation of in-flight security regulations by passengers” as a crime.

It allows air carriers to refuse to sell tickets to those who have violated the in-flight regulations within the previous five years.

The Russian government says that tougher penalties should be considered for disorderly conduct at transportation facilities including airports, metro stations, motor vehicle stations, and sea ports.