Syrian President Bashar Assad on Monday signed into law a bill enshrining a six-month prison sentence for citizens residing in the country who spread disinformation undermining the state's reputation, French news agency AFP reported.
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Under the previous law, only Syrians residing abroad could be hit with prison sentences – likely in absentia – for spreading fake or exaggerated news deemed damaging to the state.
"Every Syrian who knowingly publishes false or exaggerated news that undermines the prestige... of the state shall be punished by imprisonment for at least six months," Assad said.
The same sentence was laid out for any Syrian who "publicizes news that could improve the reputation of an enemy state," the leader added.
He also introduced a prison sentence of at least one year for "every Syrian who, in writing or in speech, called for the cession of Syrian territory."
