Publisher Boris Obraztsov fined in Kaliningrad

September 19, 2011 Leningradsky District Court Kaliningrad passed a guilty verdict in the case of the founder of the newspaper Far Far Away region" Boris Obraztsov, accused under part 1 of article 282 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (humiliation of dignity groups of persons on the basis of their attitude to religion using the media).

Obraztsov was sentenced to a fine of 110 thousand rubles. Court, which began on July 21, did not satisfy the demand of the prosecutor, who asked to appoint the publisher is sentenced to 1.5 years in prison in a colony-settlement.

Recall that the case was initiated in connection with the comment Obraztsov, published in the supplement to the newspaper "Far Far Away Region". Discussing the proposal of Archpriest V. Chaplin to introduce "Orthodox dress code", he allowed himself, in particular, such a statement: "Religion is a combination of suckers who are being bred and scum who are at the head of any religious organization."

We do not welcome this verdict, although formally Obraztsov's remarks are indeed offensive. In our opinion, humiliation merits on the basis of belonging to a group should in principle be derived from a criminal sanction.

On November 15, 2011, the Kaliningrad Regional Court considered B. Obraztsov's cassation appeal, but upheld the verdict.

Sources

• Case card No. 1-319/2011 // Website of the Leningrad District Court of Kaliningrad. 2011.
• Decided a guilty verdict against Obraztsova B.V. for committing acts aimed at humiliating the dignity of a group of persons on the basis of their attitude to religion, committed with the use of the mass media. // Website of the Leningrad District Court of Kaliningrad. 2011. September 19.
• The court sentenced Obraztsov to a fine of 110 thousand rubles for insulting believers // New Kaliningrad. 2011. September 19.