MOSCOW, April 8 - RAPSI. On Tuesday, the State Duma will consider in the first reading a law stipulating criminal prosecution for insulting the religious feelings of others, Speaker Sergei Naryshkin said following a State Duma Council meeting on Monday.

According to the proposed law, publicly insulting the religious feelings and convictions of others will be punishable by a fine of up to 300,000 rubles ($9,500), or community service for a period of up to 200 hours, or up to three years in prison.

Individuals desecrating holy sites and places of worship or areas designated for religious rites will be subject to a fine from 100,000 to 500,000 rubles ($3,160-$15,800), or 400 hours of community service, or a prison sentence of up to five years.

The law was sponsored by representatives of the four parliamentary parties.

It was submitted for consideration in September 2012.