INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE CALLS CURRENT PENALTIES FOR CREATORS OF SECTS IN RF "RIDICULOUS"
The current punishments, most often in the form of fines, for the creators of various kinds of religious sects and destructive movement in Russia, into whose network children often fall, are ludicrous and bear witness to the imperfection of Russian legislation, an official representative of the Investigative Committee of the Russian federation [SKRF], Vladimir Markin, declared on Thursday.
He said that at the present time the Criminal Code of the RF has article 239 (creation of a noncommercial organization that infringes the person and rights of citizens) with which it is possible to combat various sects. "This article 239 covers practically everything, specifically creation of a religious or public association whose activity involves violence. It is another matter what kinds of punishments are here—some kind of ridiculous punishments: fines or, in the best case for us and the worst case for creators of such sects, incarceration for four years," Markin said on a broadcast of radio station VestiFM.
"But if death is involved—imagine, they get four years because they took children away and children's souls perished. But, unfortunately, the law works that way," the representatives of the SKRF added.
Markin also expressed regret that personnel of law enforcement agencies "do not prevent" such kinds of crime. As an example he cited the story of the "Penza recluses," who in 2007-2008 awaited the "end of the world" in a previously furnished underground cave (in this time two women died there who refused to take food), and local police, Markin said, were informed about the situation but there "for some reason they did not react to it."
"We still have very many gaps in the legislation. . . . And with regard to the education of our children: we have a very careless approach toward people who are trying to take custody of our children. Sometimes we even—excuse me—such teachers are teaching today in our general education schools, especially in schools that are remote from civilization," the representative of the Investigative Committee noted.
Markin recalled that the SK initiated in the State Duma a consideration of many laws pertaining to the protection of children's rights. "And in this regard we sometimes also confront definite opposition on the part of certain elites and structures. Here, I think, it is necessary for us to unite our efforts," he added, referring to journalists.
Earlier this week, the Chief Investigations Directorate of the Investigative Committee for Moscow told RIA Novosti that investigators and police of Moscow discovered hidden video equipment and microphones in the "confessionals" of one of the religious institutions of the capital, whose premises are located in the center of the city, on Taganka Street. A criminal case was opened on this matter on the basis of an article of the Criminal Code, "illegal trafficking in special technical devices intended for covert acquisition of information."
A source acquainted with the situation in law enforcement agencies reported to an RIA Novosti correspondent that he was talking about the main subdivision of the Scientology Church of Moscow and the information collected there, according to the theory of the investigation, could be used for blackmail of attendees. In its turn, the main subdivision of the religious association, which is located in the USA, noted that Scientologists throughout the world conduct their activity "carefully following applicable legal norms." (tr. by PDS, posted 20 August 2015)
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