This Russian atheist is facing a year in jail for denying the existence of God
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."
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