Tver region introduces fines for "encouraging" abortion
In the Tver Region, anyone who tries to persuade a pregnant woman to have an abortion and offer a bribe or use deception for that purpose will be fined up to 5,000 rubles ($53). For public officials, the fine will be up to 50,000 rubles ($535), and for organizations, up to 200,000 rubles ($2,143). The punishment will be imposed regardless of whether the woman actually goes through with the abortion.
The Tver Region has become the second region to implement such laws following Mordovia where it was passed in August. A similar initiative has been introduced to the regional legislature by the governor of Tambov.
In the past 20 years, the authorities have been trying to motivate families to have more children. However, instead of providing comprehensive support in raising kids the incentives never go beyond restrictions on abortions or rewards in the form of a baptismal set from the Russian Orthodox Church for a new child.