One of the most stringent punishments to date has been imposed in Russia for the piracy of digital TV services.
In a statement, the country’s leading pay-TV operator Tricolor says that a resident of the city of Lermentov in Stavropol territory was engaged for almost two years in the modification and sale of reception equipment for its services.
He was detained in January 2016 after having tried to sell a receiver to a security services officer for R2,000 (€27.5) and found guilty last December of committing crimes under the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
He fully admitted his guilt and was sentenced to 18 months of forced labour, with 10% of his income being withheld by the state.
The court also granted Tricolor damages totalling R105,192, which the pirate has to pay.
Although he felt the sentence to be unduly harsh and lodged an appeal, the decision was upheld by the Stavropol Regional Court.
However, the length of forced labour being reduced by one month.
