MOSCOW, January 25 (RAPSI) – The North Caucasus District Military Court has dropped an extremism case against activist Yevgeny Karakashev that had been initially launched over his publications on VKontakte social network, lawyer Alexey Ladin has told RAPSI.

However, the court will continue hearing his case on online calls for terrorism . The defendant’s detention in this case has been extended until July 14, the attorney has added.

The extremism case has been opened against Karakashev after he published several unnamed videos on VKontakte and the last interview of the so-called Far Eastern Guerilla gang members convicted of widespread killings and robbery that has been declared extremist by court, Ladin has said.

The defendant was arrested on February 1, 2018.

On December 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill mitigating punishment for extremism and incitement of hatred and enmity into law.

Under the document, criminal punishment would be imposed for extremist acts in public, on the Internet or media committed repeatedly within a year. They would be punished with prison terms ranging from 2 to 5 years.

The first extremist violation is to be punishable in accordance with the Code of Administrative Offences by fines of up to 500,000 rubles ($7,500) for companies; and fines of up to 20,000 rubles, community service for up to 100 hours or detention for up to 15 days for individuals.