MOSCOW, July 24 (RIA Novosti) – The Russian government amended air laws and regulations to ban the use of lasers in areas where they can be directed at planes during taxi, takeoff, landing and flight.
The number of laser attacks on pilots in Russia surged last year. Only five cases of laser attacks were registered in the country in 2010, but in 2011 the number jumped to more than 30.
Last October, the lower house of Russia’s Parliament passed a bill significantly toughening punishment for laser attacks on pilots. The bill stipulates that hooligans whose actions have threatened transport safety will be fined 80,000 rubles ($2,580) or sentenced to up to three years in prison, while people caught pointing lasers at aircraft will get seven-year-long jail terms.