Moscow, Russia - A Russian daily was today closed for publication of a religious caricature showing prophets of the world's major religions in a bid to convey the message that a religion does not preach animosity among the people.
Gorodskiye Vesti newspaper of south Russian city of Volgograd two days ago had published a cartoon depicting Jesus Christ, Moses, Buddha and Prophet Muhammad watching TV and showing two groups of people ready to clash. The caption reads: "We did not preach you this."
The daily published by Volgograd Municipality has been closed with immediate effect on the orders of acting city mayor Andrei Doronin, ITAR-TASS reported. Earlier, Russia's media watchdog had issued a warning to the daily for publishing the caricature hurting religious feelings of the believers.
Russia's Prosecutor General's office has announced that a probe has been launched and a team of experts from various religions would give its conclusions on the Russian daily's cartoon.
"A case under the Article 282 of the Criminal Penal Code dealing with inciting inter-ethnic and inter-religion strife could be launched against it," Deputy Prosecutor General Nikolai Shepel, told NTV.
He, however, ruled out that cartoon publication by the Volgograd city daily could snowball along the Danish scenario as the local prosecutor immediately convened the meeting with the leaders of local religious communities, including Muslims and political parties, who expressed understanding that there was no ill-will behind the publication.