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Orenburg Restaurant Faces Up to 200,000-Ruble Fine Over Ad Showing Khinkali as Church Domes

The local diocese says it advised investigators during the review but holds no formal role in the case.

Overview

  • A case under Part 2, Article 5.26 of Russia’s Administrative Code was filed against the manager of the Georgian restaurant Nino-Vano and accepted by Magistrate Court Section No. 11 in Orenburg’s Leninsky District.
  • The court press service says the restaurant distributed flyers from September 1 to 30 featuring a stylized image resembling St. Basil’s Cathedral with khinkali in place of domes.
  • Police compiled administrative materials after complaints, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses before forwarding the case to court.
  • A hearing is scheduled for December 9, and the potential penalty in the case reaches 200,000 rubles.
  • The Orenburg diocese confirmed it was consulted by police and prosecutors, described the image as caricature-like, and referenced recent legal changes on using depictions of religious sites without identifying symbols.