MOSCOW, May 15 - RAPSI. The State Duma may pass a law toughening punitive sanctions for organizers and participants breaching rally procedures by the end of May.

The new version of the draft law was drawn up and introduced to parliament by Alexander Sidyakin, a member of the United Russia ruling party. If the lower house enacts the bill, the maximum administrative fine for rally coordinators and participants will increase to 1.5 million rubles ($50,000). The State Duma is expected to consider the bill on May 18.

"The bill is not against people taking part in protest rallies, but rather against any provocations that can take place during mass demonstrations" Sidyakin told RIA Novosti.

He also stated that the punitive sanctions will be imposed on rally organizers if they breach the law, as well as on the participants if they attempt to call to violate rally procedures, for example, by deviating from the approved route.