State Duma deputy Mikhail Markelov, a member of the Committee on Nationalities, has asked the Investigative Committee to check an article by political analyst Stanislav Belkovsky for libel and extremism. According to RIA Novosti, Markelov requested that a criminal case be opened against Belkovsky if violations are found. The news was reported by the press service of United Russia, which the agency cites.
Belkovsky's article appeared in the newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets. In it, the political analyst proposed "reforming" the Church, in particular by electing pastors and introducing the institution of confirmation.
Markelov called the article a provocation. "The political analyst proposes liquidating the Moscow Patriarchate and proposes starting to elect pastors. This is another attack on the Russian Orthodox Church," the deputy said.
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