Roman Zvarich and Andrey Portnov

Lawmaker of Ukraine from the OU-PSD Roman Zvarych, left, and lawmaker from the BYUT faction Andriy Portnov during the session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, in Kyiv, June 4, 2009. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a Law “On Introducing Amendments into Article 338 of Criminal Code of Ukraine, concerning strengthening of responsibility for outrage upon state symbols of Ukraine”. 228 out of 429 lawmakers registered in the session hall of the Verkhovna Rada voted “for” this decision. This law establishes criminal responsibility for outrage upon State Flag of Ukraine, State Emblem of Ukraine, public outrage upon National Anthem of Ukraine in a way of imprisonment for the term of three years. Besides, the Criminal Code has a norm that such actions are punished with a fine up to 150 exemption limits of citizens' incomes and an arrest with a term of 6 months. Also adopted amendments in the Code provide a punish for outrage upon symbols of foreign states – imprisonment for the term of two years. Photo UNIAN