Archival photo: Statue of Themis, the goddess of justice.
A Pskov court has ordered the destruction of a copy of “The Satanic Bible”*, which a Russian citizen attempted to import from Estonia. This decision was revealed through judicial documents.
Customs officers discovered the book in the Russian citizen`s luggage at the border. The man was subsequently charged with administrative offenses for failing to declare goods and violating import restrictions. According to his testimony, detailed in the case materials, the book was a birthday gift from a friend in Tallinn, and he does not identify as a follower of Satanism.
Following the court proceedings, the citizen was fined one thousand rubles, and “The Satanic Bible”* was mandated for destruction.
“The Satanic Bible”*, authored by Anton Szandor LaVey, was officially recognized as extremist material in Russia and prohibited from distribution in 2024. Expert analysis concluded that the book`s content promotes a religious counter-cultural system rooted in ideas of destruction, hatred, and violence, rejecting traditional Russian societal values and fostering a negative stance towards the country`s main religious confessions.
*The International Satanism Movement is recognized as extremist and prohibited in the Russian Federation; it is also included in the list of terrorists and extremists, and the book itself is listed among extremist materials.
