MOSCOW, June 27 (RAPSI) — Propaganda or public display of Nazi symbols or paraphernalia may be punished with imprisonment for up to four years, according to an amendment to the national law on treason, introduced earlier to the lower house of the Russian Parliament.

The State Duma Committee on Legislation and State Building recommended the document for adoption in the second reading.

Propaganda or public demonstration of Nazi paraphernalia or symbols, paraphernalia or symbols similar to Nazi, or paraphernalia or symbols of extremist organizations, according to the amendment, is to be punishable by a fine in the amount of 600,000 to 1 million rubles (about $11,250 to $18,700 at the current exchange rate), or by corrective labor for a term of one to two years, or forced labor for a term of up to four years, or imprisonment for the same term.

It is also proposed that persons found guilty by courts of manufacture, sale or purchase of Nazi paraphernalia for propaganda purposes are to be punished similarly, the document reads.

The amendment envisages that defection to the enemy during an armed conflict or hostilities is be recognized as treason.