The deputy chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims was fined 150 thousand rubles because of paintings about the battle on the Kalka River and the captivity of Vasily II

On May 26, the magistrate court of the Moscow Tushino district fined Damir Mukhetdinov, first deputy chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia, 150 thousand rubles under the protocol on the desecration of religious objects (Article 5.26 of the Administrative Code), the press service of the Moscow courts reported .

The basis for the protocol was a painting in Mukhetdinov’s office depicting the historical battle on the Kalka River between Mongol and Russian troops in 1223, which ended in the victory of the Mongols, and the painting “The Capture of Prince Vasily II the Dark,” also depicting a historical plot of 1445 - the battle of the Kazan Tatars near Suzdal.

According to the world court, the picture with the Mongolian army “may contribute to the formation of a negative attitude towards representatives of groups of people united on the basis of nationality or religion.”

As “Caution News” notes , because of this picture, Mukhetdinov was previously reported by Z-activists, accusing him of Russophobia.

What questions do you have for the picture?

We are talking about the painting “Kalka” by artist Ildar Akzhigitov.

“Working on a historical painting is both difficult and enjoyable at the same time. I thank the Almighty that I was lucky enough to complete this work,” he said in 2024 about his work.

Alexander Dyukov, a member of the Presidential Council Commission on Interethnic Relations, criticized the painting in February 2025 for depicting “Russian princes dying under the flooring on which the Horde feasted.”

The representative of the Russian Orthodox Church, Vakhtang Kipshidze, called the work “a mockery of religious symbols” that “has no justification.”

The protocol on religious desecration against Mukhetdinov became part of a new wave of pressure on Muslims in Russia - in May, several representatives of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims in the regions were arrested, Kommersant noted .

In particular, the ex-Mufti of Karelia, Wisam Ali Bardvil, was arrested for 15 days under the pretext of disobeying the police at Sheremetyevo Airport, and later another report was drawn up against him - under the article of petty hooliganism, which implies punishment in the form of arrest.

An additional protocol was drawn up against Damir Mukhetdinov for inciting hatred (Article 20.3.1 of the Administrative Code), RBC wrote .