reports the Times (London):
Prosecutors took action against the 2×2 television channel for broadcasting an episode [Mr Hankey’s Christmas Classics] of the animated comedy show that featured Christmas songs including a medley duet performed by Santa Claus and Jesus Christ.
The Basmanny regional prosecutors office in Moscow has announced that the programme “bore signs of extremist activity”….
A statement by Moscow prosecutors read: “It offends the honour and dignity of Christians and Muslims alike.” It could just have easily included Jews, Scientologists, Catholics, Mormons and Moonies all of whom have been mercilessly targeted by American series….
The prosecutors said … the programme “could provoke ethnic conflict and spark inter-religious hatred”.
Russia passed a 2006 law widening the definition of extremism to include “the abasement of national dignity” and “inciting religious and national hatred”, which backers say was needed to stem a wave of violence aimed at ethnic minorities….
Thanks to Prof. Howard Friedman of the Religion Clause blog for the pointer. I haven’t had the time to search for any Russian-language stories on the subject, but if you can find any — especially from prominent Russian news sites — please let me know, since of course I’d prefer to read stories that are closest to the source. If there are any statements from the prosecutor’s office, they would be especially helpful.