Russia fine for protesters may surpass those for nuke crimes

MOSCOW -- Russia's lower house of parliament approved a bill Tuesday that would raise the fine for participating in an unauthorized protest 150 times.

If, as expected, the bill becomes law, protesters whose rallies aren't officially sanctioned will face fines of up to $9,000, up from the current $60.

The potential punishment is far more severe than for many other crimes.

A sampling of other offenses and their maximum penalties under Russian law:

* Prostitution: A fine of $75.

* Illegal use of an automobile: $3,600.

* Nuclear materials storage violations: $150 for regular citizens, $1,200 for public officials.

* Performing an abortion without medical qualification: $2,400.

* Violating safety precautions in designing, building and using nuclear energy facilities that could cause danger or radioactive contagion: $6,000.

* Organizing prostitution: $15,000 or three years in prison.