A new article “Acts of stalking” has been added to the Criminal Code. This refers to cases where a person is intentionally and regularly tracked, observed or attempted to establish contact – including through information technologies and electronic communication networks – causing fear, anxiety or forcing the victim to change his or her lifestyle. Such acts are punishable by fines, community service or imprisonment of up to 2 years, or up to 3 years if the victim is a family member.
Sexual harassment – physical, verbal or non-verbal behavior, including with the use of information technologies or electronic communications – is punishable by a fine of 500 to 1,000 conventional units, unpaid labor in favor of society for a period of 120 to 240 hours or imprisonment for up to 4 years. The same actions committed against a minor are punishable by imprisonment for a term of 3 to 7 years.
The Act introduces into criminal law for the first time the concept of femicide – an act of special violence against women committed on the grounds of gender prejudice and resulting in the death of the victim. It also clarifies norms related to kinship in order to increase the possibility of protecting the rights of victims.
A separate block of amendments concerns the protection of freedom of speech: interference in the work of journalists and the media, including online threats, entails criminal liability – up to 5 years of imprisonment, and in case of violence or threat to life – up to 6 years.
The law was adopted in July and published on August 14, 2025, coming into force six months after publication.
