Russia's Ingushetia protests against insulting caricatures
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 17 January 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia's Ingushetia protests against insulting caricatures, 17 January 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54e1a3c21b.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 17, 2015
Thousands of people have marched in the Russian North Caucasus republic of Ingushetia to protest Western publications that insult the Prophet Muhammad.
Ingushetia head Yunus-Bek Yevkurov told the crowd on January 17 that the publication of insulting caricatures amounts to "state extremism on the part of some Western countries."
A similar protest is planned for January 19 in the nearby Russian republic of Chechnya. Chechen head Ramzan Kadyrov has promised a turnout of 500,000 people.
The Russian government expressed condolences following the January 7 terrorist attack in Paris against the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov participated in a solidarity march in the French capital a few days later.
However, state-controlled Russian media and commentators on social media have said the victims provoked the attack and have denounced the publication of materials that offend religious sensibilities.
Based on reporting by Interfax and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
