MOSCOW, February 13 (RAPSI) - A criminal case has been opened following desecration of a WWII memorial in the city of Krasnoyarsk, RIA Novosti reported on Friday, citing a spokesperson of the Investigative Committee’s regional office, Larisa Neiland.

In late January, unknown vandals painted Nazi symbols and extremist slogans on seven sculptures of the Alley of Glory in Guard Park. The suspects have been identified, according to Neiland. The investigation did not reveal the number or age of the alleged vandals.

In May 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law that introduces criminal liability for whitewashing or glorifying Nazism, and spreading false information about the Soviet Union’s role in World War II. Under the law, the perpetrators may face a 300,000 ruble fine ($4,600), or three years in prison. If an individual broke this law using his position as an official, the fine goes up to 500,000 rubles ($7,700) and the prison term raises to five years. The law also introduces fines for desecrating Russian military glory dates or monuments.

The term "rehabilitation of Nazism and glorification of Nazi criminals and their accomplices" is interpreted as "the restoration of the rights, the issuance of state or public awards and the provision of other state and public incentives for Nazi criminals and their accomplices, the public justification of the Nazi ideology and practices, and the public promotion of the Nazi ideology or any other public actions glorifying Nazi criminals."