Insulting Prophet Mohammed not freedom of expression but violation of religious freedom: Putin

Insulting Prophet Mohammed does not count as freedom of expression, said Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, reports TRT World. Instead, it is a violation of religious freedom as well as the violation of the sacred feelings of people who profess Islam, said Putin. The Russian President was addressing his annual news conference.

Criticising posting photos of Nazis on websites such as the one titled 'Immortal Regiment' dedicated to Russians who died in the Second World War, Putin said that such acts give rise to extremist reprisals. He cited the attack on the editorial office of Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris as an example.

Praising artistic freedom in general, Putin said that it should not infringe on other freedoms and has its limits.

Russia is used to respecting each other's traditions as it has evolved into a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional state. However, in some other countries, this respect is in short supply, Putin said.