Russian Pokemon Go player facing jail for playing game in CHURCH
Unlucky gamer faces punishment under same laws which were used to imprison Pussy Riot
A RUSSIAN blogger is facing five years in prison after he recorded himself catching a Pokemon in a church to protest against a countrywide ban on Pokemon GO hunting in the religious buildings.
Ruslan Sokolovsky, 22, was arrested after he decided to test the system by going to one of the largest churches in his home town of Yekaterinburg to look for one of the pocket monsters, .
He recorded his hunt in the ‘Temple on Blood’ church and said in the video that he was angry at the fact the fine for chasing Pokemon in churches can reach more than £5,000.
The recent Russian law also implies that those who violate it, could be sent to prison.
“I think it is so stupid. Who would get offended if you walk around a church with your smartphone? I find it strange, this is why I want to chase Pokemon in church,” Sokolovsky said.
It's been reported that Sokolovsky has been arrested and will spend the next two months in prison after he underwent a court hearing which took place behind closed doors.
He was officially charged with "inciting hatred or hostility, and humiliation of human dignity" as well as "violation of the right to freedom of conscience and religion".
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Some social media users have not been very supportive, criticising him for foolishly challenging his country’s laws.
“He is so stupid,” Tibull Ailen said.
“He behaves like a typical school outsider. He simply tried to make a name for himself,” Igor Larin added.
Sokolovsky could face as much as five years in jail if found guilty of the charges.
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