Two men have been jailed in Russia with sentences of one year each following conviction for an internet hoax. The two had posted messages claiming to be nuclear rocket commanders with plans to destroy cities in Europe.
They claimed to be driven to the edge by the strain of post-Soviet life and made demands to be met to avert the proposed nuclear strike.

The FBI in the US and police in Austria asked the Russian authorities to investigate. The Russian FSB security police identified the men responsible and the two were convicted yesterday under a statute that forbids alarmist hoaxes causing material damage or danger to the public.

The FSB has the right to intercept internet traffic in Russia on grounds of national security.

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