FSIN: Ten inmates punished for publicly displaying extremist symbols

      Operational officers of the Main Directorate of the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) of Russia for the Sverdlovsk Region constantly identify and suppress the display of extremist symbols by prisoners held in FSIN institutions, the regional department's press service reported on Wednesday.

      “This year more than 10 such prisoners have been identified. All of them were fined under Article 20.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (Propaganda or public display of Nazi attributes or symbols, or attributes or symbols of extremist organizations, or other attributes or symbols the propaganda or public display of which are prohibited by federal laws),” the press service of the Sverdlovsk FSIN said.

      In one case the prisoner was prosecuted under criminal law because he had previously been held administratively liable under Article 20.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.

      While in the medical unit of one of the FSIN correctional colonies, prisoner P. intentionally and publicly displayed tattoos on his chest in the form of eight-pointed stars. According to a specialist’s conclusion, they contain symbolism similar to that of the “A.U.E.” movement, which has been recognized as an extremist organization and banned in Russia.

      A criminal case has been opened against him under Part 1 of Article 282.4 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Repeated propaganda or public display of symbols of extremist organizations the propaganda or public display of which are prohibited by federal laws). The penalty under this article provides for up to four years’ imprisonment.