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Editor of Internet publication fined over article about Putin

(CJES/IFEX) - An Ivanovo magistrate has sentenced Vladimir Rakhmankov, editor-in-chief of the Internet publication Kursiv, to pay a fine of 20,000 rubles (approx. US$745) for publishing his article entitled "Putin as a Phallic Symbol of Russia" on the Kursiv website, Ekho Moskvy radio station has reported.

The criminal case against Rakhmankov was initiated by the Ivanovo region's prosecutor's office over the 18 May 2006 publication.

Ekho Moskvy radio also reported that the state prosecutor had asked the fine to be 40,000 rubles (approx. US$1490), but the judge decided to halve the amount. The aggravating circumstances in the case were that the journalist had not expressed any remorse, and the mitigating circumstances were the facts that he has an underage child and no prior criminal record.

Rakhmankov told CJES he does not believe he has committed a crime, as he believes only offensive language can count as offensive. He said he intends to appeal.