PETROZAVODSK, May 23 - RAPSI. The counsel for blogger Maxim Efimov have appealed against the court order to send him to a mental hospital, which is part of the case charging him with inciting hatred and hostility, Olga Rybalova, one of his defense attorneys, told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.

Efimov, the head of a youth group, is charged with causing religious offense to believers.

According to the Investigative Committee, the case stems from his article "Karelia is tired of monks," which allegedly hurt the feelings of many believers.
The attorney said that one of the case investigators had phoned her to request for the blogger to come into the investigation department on May 21 so as to be sent to a lunatic asylum.

That same day, Efimov's lawyers sent a letter to the chief doctor at the mental hospital, urging him to abide by the law, as the court order had not yet come into force and the defense had appealed it within the stated time.