Russia may be particularly sensitive these days when it comes to hateful slogans. "Putin, go away!" may send you to jail for 2 years, support of sexual minorities may cost you a visa entry, and now even antifascists have to be extra careful and politically correct.
The Investigation Committee of Russia officially states that a 27-year-old man from Vladimir Region was arrested after a short video he showed in one of Vladimir city cafes. The footage contained negative comments towards nationalists and implied a deficiency in those who belonged to a particular social group, namely Skinheads. The video apparently also called for citizens to treat Skinheads with hostility.
The man was arrested and is now being sued for breach of article no. 282, part 1 of Russia's Criminal Code, Incitement of National, Racial, and Religious Enmity. The article reads:
1. Actions aimed at the incitement of national, racial, or religious enmity, abasement of human dignity, and also propaganda of the exceptionality, superiority, or inferiority of individuals by reason of their attitude to religion, national, or racial affiliation, if these acts have been committed in public or with the use of mass media, shall be punishable by a fine in the amount of 500 to 800 minimum wages, or in the amount of the wage or salary, or any other income of the convicted person for a period of five to eight months, or by restraint of liberty for a term of up to three years, or by deprivation of liberty for a term of two to four years.
The investigation in the case continues.
Author: Julia Shuvalova