ST. PETERSBURG, August 15 - RAPSI. A criminal case has been initiated in Finland against Helsinki University World Politics Professor Teivo Teivanen, who tried to perform a punk prayer at an Orthodox cathedral in the Finnish capital, Finnish human rights activist Johan Baeckman told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.

The case has been initiated upon the request of public and cultural activists, he said, including himself as a Finnish Anti-Fascist Committee representative, playwright Jussi Parviainen and musician Tommi Lievemaa.

The Finnish media reported that Teivanen staged a protest and a group of masked girls performed near the Cathedral of Assumption. He called his actions a rally in support of the Pussy Riot punk rock group on his Facebook page.

A criminal case has been initiated under articles of the Finnish Criminal Code on the "violation of a religion's inviolability" and on "hindering the holding of religious rites," Baeckman said.

Decisions to bring charges for anti-religious crimes are made by the Finnish Prosecutor General's Office. If such a decision is made, the professor could face up to two years in prison.

Baeckman said the Finnish Criminal Code even prohibits attempts to hinder divine service. It also prohibits wearing masks in public places and holding unauthorized rallies, he said.

In late February, five members of the Pussy Riot punk rock collective entered Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral wearing balaclavas in order to stage a punk prayer.

Three members have been arrested and stood trial. Investigators have accused them of hooliganism. They face up to seven years in prison.