A Russian man is facing a jail sentence of up to one year for suggesting in an internet exchange that "there is no God."
A Russian law — put on the books in 2013 after Pussy Riot's blasphemous performance in a Moscow cathedral — makes Viktor Krasnov's remarks subject to prosecution because they're offensive to Orthodox believers. "If I say that the collection of Jewish fairytales entitled the Bible is complete bulls--t, that is that. At least for me," Krasnov wrote, later adding that "there is no God!"
Krasnov's comments initially subjected him to a month in a psychiatric ward and numerous psychiatric examinations. However, the tests revealed that Krasnov, 38, is sane. His lawyer insists that he is "simply an atheist."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
What India’s World Cup win means for women’s cricketIn The Spotlight The landmark victory could change women’s cricket ‘as we know it’
-
Can Nigel Farage and Reform balance the books?Today's Big Question Nigel Farage has, for the first time, ‘articulated something resembling a fiscal rule’ that he hopes will win over voters and the markets
-
The best quality chocolateThe Week Recommends The milk and dark chocolate bars that win on depth and flavour
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstancesSpeed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governorSpeed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditionsSpeed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billionSpeed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on recordSpeed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homesSpeed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creatureSpeed Read
