MOSCOW, Jan 29 — A committee of Russia’s State Duma today gave the green light for lawmakers to proceed to a second reading of a bill allowing for the confiscation of property from people convicted of spreading "deliberately false information” about the Russian army.

The measure will also apply to those found guilty of "discrediting” the armed forces, calling for sanctions against Russia or inciting extremist activity. The bill will need to be approved in three readings. — Reuters