Russia’s Putin Formalizes Anti-Gay Propaganda Bill Into Law

Russian President Vladimir Putin has finally and formally signed into law the country's anti-gay propaganda bill.

People found guilty of violating the law, which is aimed to ban gay propaganda for those under 18 years old, could be fined an amount equivalent to AU$165. Foreigners likewise would be fined the same amount, plus a possible 15-day imprisonment and/or deportation.

Companies found guilty of violating the law could be slapped with a fine equivalent to AU$33,000.

Promoting gay propaganda through the media or the Internet carries harsher punishment, such as individuals found guilty will have to pay up to 100,000 rubles, while organisations, a million rubles or face a 90-day suspension of activities.

While Mr Putin said he respects how the other global nations have embraced the gay movement in their respective turfs, he said "some countries ... think that there is no need to protect children from this. We do. We are not going to interfere."

"But we are going to provide such protection the way that State Duma lawmakers have decided," he said in Finland in June.

Nikolai Alexeyev, a Russian gay activist, said the law will be appealed in the European Court of Human Rights.

It is every inch a "historical mistake."

"History will prove that (Putin) made a mistake that the future generations are unlikely to forgive," he said in a statement published on Gayrussia.ru.

Other campaigners said the new law effectively legalises homophobia in the country, allowing hate crimes to surge nationwide.