Authorities in the east Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk are for the first time applying a 2014 law against the "revival of Nazism" after swastikas appeared on a local World War II memorial, the regional branch of the Investigative Committee said Wednesday.
The swastikas and other "extremist content" were found spray-painted on several statues in the city's Alley of Glory on Jan. 9, the committee said in a statement, adding that the suspects have yet to be identified and an investigation — including "linguistic analysis" — is being conducted.
The law against the revival of Nazism, which was approved by the federal parliament last April, stipulates up to two years in prison and a fine of 300,000 rubles ($4,600), which is reportedly more than three-fourths of last year's average annual salary in the Krasnoyarsk region.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.