Defence of Sochi resident demands to stop case on reposting caricatures with Christ

The court of appeal has sent the caricatures with images of Jesus Christ to additional examination; for reposting these caricatures Victor Nochevnov, a Sochi resident, was fined for insulting believers’ religious feelings.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on August 2, a Sochi magistrate judge fined Mr Nochevnov by 50,000 roubles, having found him guilty of insulting believers’ feelings. Victor refused to plead guilty and decided to appeal against the judgement immediately after the announcement thereof.

In his page in the social network "VKontakte", Victor Nochevnov posted seven caricatures depicting Jesus Christ, which he reposted from other groups in the social network.

On October 13, the Tsentralny District Court of Sochi began considering the appeal complaint against the Nochevnov’s fine.

In his appeal, Victor Nochevnov pointed out that Article 28 of the Russian Constitution guarantees everyone the freedom of religion, while Article 29 guarantees everyone the freedom of self-expression.

"In other words, everyone has the right to stick to any beliefs and doubts, including being an atheist, and to freely express one’s opinion." It is inadmissible to assess which of these constitutional rights is more significant: one right cannot be restricted for the detriment of the other," says his complaint, a copy of which is available at the "Caucasian Knot".

At the appeal court, the advocate Alexander Popkov, Victor’s defender, also stated that the limitation period for bringing his client to justice had expired by the time the consideration began by the appeal court.

The appeal court has appointed an additional examination, which should be held by the next session on the case.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.