Russian supreme Court separates criticism from extremism

[DV RULES]

Criticism of politicians and officials may not be equal to extremism, just like critical evaluation of religions or of any social group, expressed over a scientific discussion or in political debates. This was a decision a plenary session of Russia’s Supreme Court adopted. It generalised practice of judicial investigations of extremist cases.

The session suggests separating terrorism from extremism. For example, it says calls for acts of terror are not to be considered as extremism, the Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. Depending on the case circumstances, it will be considered as a purely terror crime. At the same time, responsibility for extremist rhetoric will be applicable exclusively if the latter is made publicly, for example, in the media, on the Internet or at a meeting.

The newspaper’s experts “take positively the initiative of the judges, but insist on further amendments to respective articles of the criminal law. Member of Russia’s Civil Chamber Anatoly Kucherena is convinced it is too early to speak about unification of law enforcement practice regarding extremism cases. On the other hand, he said that ‘laws may be improved endlessly’.”

ITAR-TASS : Supreme Court separates criticism from extremism