[Regnum] Following Regnum's inquiry to the Krasnodar Krai police, the agency investigated reports of religious leaflets being distributed in Krasnodar calling on underage girls to marry Muslim men. The Ministry of Internal Affairs informed us that the story of the religious leaflets being distributed was unconfirmed and proved to be a fake, and the leaflet itself, distributed on social media, was likely falsified. However, it remains unknown who created and distributed the provocative materials, which sparked an interethnic and interreligious scandal, and for what purposes.
In a conversation with Regnum News Agency, a representative of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for Krasnodar Krai reported that agency employees investigated information about religious brochures allegedly distributed in the regional center, calling on underage girls to marry Muslim men.
"While monitoring the internet, we discovered a post claiming that leaflets promoting interfaith marriages were being distributed in Krasnodar, with an address provided. We would like to inform you that the listed address does not exist in Krasnodar, and no eyewitnesses or citizens have reported the alleged leaflet distribution to the police," the Krasnodar Krai Ministry of Internal Affairs reported.
The agency noted that the information published on news channels about the distribution of such leaflets is fake. It is currently unknown who authored the provocative booklet and whether the police will identify them for prosecution under the law on inciting ethnic hatred.
On September 25, one of Krasnodar's city news channels reported that unknown individuals were distributing religious leaflets in the mailboxes of city residents.
The leaflet encourages underage girls to marry Muslim men. The booklet states that every girl "blooms" at the age of 16 or 17, and "from that moment on, she can marry a Muslim man." The reverse side of the booklet notes that after marrying a Muslim man, the girl "doesn't have to worry about money—her husband will provide for her," and also that "she doesn't have to waste years on education," etc.
The publication sparked a scandal and public outcry. Some local residents were outraged by the religious advertising aimed at underage girls. Others disbelieved the authenticity of such leaflets, believing them to be a deliberate provocation aimed at inciting ethnic and religious hatred.
Regnum News Agency journalists contacted the administrator of the community where the photograph was first published. The agency was told that the information was sent by a subscriber with a private account. In addition to the photo, the unknown person reported that the leaflets were allegedly being distributed in the Pashkovsky district of Krasnodar.
The Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Krasnodar Krai asked Regnum journalists to send them this material. After reviewing it, the police promised to verify the information being disseminated online.