VOLGOGRAD, February 16 (Itar-Tass) - Volgograd authorities have closed the Gorodskiye Vesti /City News/ daily over the publication of a religious cartoon. The relevant instruction was signed by acting mayor Andrei Doronin on Wednesday evening.
On February 9, the newspaper published a cartoon, as an illustration to the article titled "Racists Have No Place in Government." It depicts Jesus, Moses, Buddha and the Prophet Muhammad, who are watching television. The scene on screen shows two groups of people readying for fight. "We didn't teach them that," says the caption below.
The move is intended to prevent conflicts on religious or ethnic grounds in connection with the publication that was condemned by religious and public organizations, the authorities' resolution said.
The document also sets the date for liquidating the newspaper.
On Wednesday, Volgograd prosecutors, together with the Russian Prosecutor General's Office launched a check into the publication. They may open a criminal case under Article 282 of Russia's Criminal Code /inciting of ethnic and religious hate/.
Earlier, the Federal Service for Supervision of Law in Mass Communications and Protection of Cultural Heritage warned the media outlets that it would take prompt and tough measures - as far as license recall - against the materials insulting religious feelings.
