The secretary of the Russian Supreme Court’s plenum has proposed to introduce in Russian law the responsibility for “fracasation” of justice. Under his logic it is necessary to avoid any manipulation with public opinion aiming to put a court under the pressure.
According to the secretary the Russian judges are restricted in their certain actions under ethical code. They can’t give a comment or they should refrain from any action if it could “put under the doubt the objectivity and independence of the court”. Such restrictions are applied even when the disseminated information regarding to certain judge is false or defaming.
Therefore the secretary believes it is necessary to provide in Russian law the liability for “fracasation” of justice. This proposal is the analogue of other legislative proposal – liability for insulting of Russian state. In other words the judicial community has proposed provide liability for insulting of judicial power in Russia.
What means “fracasation” or “scandalisation”? The secretary has explained. According to him in UK there is a “legal system where such wording means actions or deeds or information aiming to undermine the judge’s authority (not the power, authority means Renome, reputation), especially indiscriminate and unjustifiable criticism undermining the public’s credibility towards to the justice process”.