A court in Russia's Sverdlovsk region has sentenced a Muslim woman in the city of Pervouralsk for extremism after she criticized fellow Muslims who celebrate New Year's, Interfax reported on Monday.
In comments in a group on the VKontakte social network, Elvira Sultanakhmetova wrote that Muslims shouldn't celebrate secular holidays or those associated with other religions, such as Christmas, New Year's Eve and Victory Day, the report said.
The local branch of the Federal Security Service logged her message and a criminal case into extremism was opened in July 2014. Sultanakhmetova denied the charge.
Under the Russian Criminal Code, incitement of national, racial or religious enmity is punishable by up to four years in prison. Sultanakhmetova was given 120 hours of community service.
Russia's anti-extremism legislation was last amended in February 2014, when bigger fines and longer prison terms were introduced. The measure was criticized as giving the government a tool for political repressions.
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.
