OOO Space Company, a computer store, was faced with an administrative lawsuit after running an ad banner that featured the images of cannabis leaves and the caption that read, ‘… A legal trip to Amsterdam’. The legal action was taken by the officers from Sverdlovsk Region’s division of Russia’s Federal Drug Control Service, with charges based on Article 6.13 of the Russian Federation Administrative Offense Code, the spokesperson for the Service reports.

The Article in question presumes offenders should be prosecuted for propagating drugs, mind-altering substances, or their precursor. The punishment may consist in an administrative fine of 40,000 RUR to 50,000 RUR and the confiscation of the products advertised.

Now Space Company used the image of cannabis leaves to promote its special offer, with a trip to the Netherlands as the first prize. The computer store said to UralBusinessConsulting that they don’t see their actions as a crime.

The banner has been confiscated, and an all-round expert examination is to be conducted in order to make the legally relevant decision.