Investigative Committee began checking Tolokonnikova’s posts for insulting the feelings of believers

The Investigative Committee began checking the posts of Nadezhda Tolokonnikova for insulting the feelings of believers

According to RBC sources, Tolokonnikova’s posts on social networks were seen as actions expressing “clear disrespect for society and committed in order to offend religious feelings”

In the department of the Investigative Committee for the Meshchansky district of Moscow, a check was launched against a member of the Pussy Riot group Nadezhda Tolokonnikova (included in the register of foreign agents) under Part 1 of Article 148 of the Criminal Code (violation of the right to freedom of conscience and religion). This was reported to RBC by a source in law enforcement agencies. A source familiar with the case materials confirmed the information.

According to them, the reason was Tolokonnikova’s publications on social networks, “containing signs of actions expressing clear disrespect for society and committed in order to offend the religious feelings of believers.” The maximum punishment under Part 1 of Article 148 is imprisonment for up to one year.

RBC turned to Nadezhda Tolokonnikova for comment and sent a request to the Investigative Committee.

In 2012, Tolokonnikova and two other members of Pussy Riot – Ekaterina Samutsevich and Maria Alyokhina – were arrested after a “punk prayer” with the song “Mother of God, drive Putin away” in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. According to Tolokonnikova, the group did not think that their performance could offend the feelings of believers, and pursued only political and artistic goals.