MOSCOW, July 16 (RAPSI) – Russia’s communications agency has sent Instagram social network a demand to delete an image insulting the country’s state symbols, the watchdog’s press service reports.

According to the statement, the disputed image pictures indecent actions on the Russian state flag.

The request has been forwarded to the social media upon the demand of the Prosecutor General’s Office. The webpage faces inclusion in the list of banned information.

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. The law stipulates 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.

In early July, Putin entrusted prosecutors, police and Roskomndazor with analyzing the regulatory enforcement and ordered them to take measures if needed to prevent unfounded penalties and website blocking until November 1.