ST.-PETERSBURG, March 11 - RAPSI. St. Petersburg governor has signed a high-profile city law imposing fines for promoting homosexual relations among underage children as well as pedophilia, the governors press service reported on Sunday.

The law will come into force in 10 days after its official publication.

St. Petersburg legislators adopted in early March amendments to the city law on administrative violations which provide fines for promoting homosexuality among minors and pedophilia.

After their first reading in December on the eve of parliamentary elections the amendments got a wide public response both in Russia and abroad. Specifically the U.S. Department of State expressed its concern over their possible adoption. Protesters against the amendments held some rallies abroad.

Under the amended law public actions intended to promote homosexual and bisexual relations and transgender issues among underage children are to be punished by administrative fines amounting to 5,000 rubles ($168.5) for individuals, 50,000 rubles ($1,685) for officials and from 250,000 to 500,000 rubles ($8,400 to 16,800) for entities.