Resident of Novocheboksarsk sentenced to 6.5 years for extremism

The Novocheboksary city court found a 46-year-old local resident guilty of organizing the activities of an extremist organization. He was sentenced to 6 years 6 months in prison in a general regime colony.

According to the FSB of Russia for Chuvashia, the man was the spiritual leader of the cell of the banned religious association and continued to direct its activities in the territory of Chuvashia and Mari El.

The investigation found that he involved new supporters in the organization, held secret meetings, including remotely, and distributed banned literature and information materials of extremist content.

In addition, according to investigators, the man urged followers to refuse medical intervention and blood transfusions. The FSB believes that such actions posed a threat to the life and health of citizens.

The court also for five years deprived the convicted person of the right to engage in activities related to the management and participation in the work of religious organizations, as well as post appeals and other materials on the Internet.

The sentence under part 1 of article 282.2 of the criminal code has not yet entered into force.