Prosecutor General Calls for Stricter Penalties for Online Hate Speech and Fascist Propaganda

Prosecutor General Alex Florenta has proposed amendments to criminal legislation, advocating for harsher penalties for inciting violence, hatred, or discrimination online, as well as for promoting the cult of individuals associated with fascist, racist, or xenophobic organizations, CE Report quotes Agerpres

"In the current context, where such manifestations are increasingly present in the public space, the Prosecutor General's Office is closely monitoring these phenomena and taking necessary actions to hold offenders accountable," Florenta stated in a press release.

The office conducts semi-annual reviews of cases involving hate speech and related crimes and has initiated investigations against individuals with special statuses, including MPs and MEPs, in 2024 alone.

Florenta emphasized the need for updated legislation to address modern forms of such crimes, especially in the digital space. He proposed forming a working group with representatives from the judiciary and the Ministry of Interior to draft amendments. A preliminary meeting of the group, including the Ministry of Justice, was held on December 18.

The proposed changes aim to equip law enforcement with better tools to combat the rising trend of online hate and discrimination effectively.