The Current State and Structure of Crimes Related to the Discrediting of Power in Russia

Introduction: The article presents a criminological analysis of crimes related to the discrediting of state power. Absolute and relative indicators of the state and structure of crimes regulated by Art. 205.2, 207.3, 280, 280.3 and 282 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for the period 2022–2024. Materials and methods: the research is based on the dialectical method of cognition, as well as the methods of analysis, synthesis and generalization; From the set of special scientific methods, the following were used: comparative legal and formal-logical; statistical methods. The empirical base of the study consists of statistical data on the number of registered crimes and convictions under Articles 205.2, 207.3, 280, 280.3 and 282 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for 2022–2024. Results of the study: crimes related to discrediting the authorities have several unique criminological characteristics that distinguish them from other types of extremist crime. The features of their dynamics were revealed, the patterns of change in the number of such crimes were indicated. The structure of the considered crimes is presented, according to which the dominant role is played by the crimes provided for in Article 205.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which at the end of the period constitute more than half of all registered crimes of the studied totality. Conclusions and conclusions: the analysis showed that crimes related to discrediting the authorities occupy an increasingly significant place in the structure of extremist crime, their absolute and relative indicators are actively growing. For a more effective counteraction to these crimes, a comprehensive approach to legal regulation and a more in-depth criminological study are required, which is due to the legal novelty of the crimes under consideration and the changing social conditions of their commission.