MOSCOW, April 1 (RAPSI) – The Supreme Court of Russia has rejected a lawsuit filed by the former State Duma MP Dmitry Gudkov demanding to disable the law on blocking of websites containing defamatory information insulting Russia's society, state symbols and state bodies, RAPSI has learned in the court.

The suit has been returned to the court registry.

Gudkov insists that the disputed law violates his rights, freedoms and legal interests of Russian citizens and contradicts the norms of international and Russian legislation.

The plaintiff notes that the absence of explanation of such concepts as “obscene form” and “marked disregard” in the law may lead to the liberal enforcement of the provision and recognizing the critics of authorities as illegal, the lawsuit reads.

Defendants in the suit are both houses of Russian parliament, MP Petr Tolstoy and senator Andrey Klishas.

On March 18, President Vladimir Putin signed a bill on blocking of websites containing defamatory information insulting Russia's society, state symbols and state bodies into law.

Under the law, Russia’s Prosecutor General and his deputies would be entitled to apply to the communications agency Roskomnadzor with requests to block websites breaking legislation.

Moreover, the amendments envisage fines from 30,000 rubles (about $455) to 100,000 rubles ($1,500). In case the offence is committed for the second time, it is to be punishable with fines from 100,000 rubles to 200,000 rubles ($1,500 – 3,000), or administrative detention for up to 15 days. Repeated violations are to be punished with fines ranging from 200,000 rubles to 300,000 rubles ($3,000 – 4,500), or administrative detention for the same term.