Russia should improve its legislation concerning totalitarian sects and toughen control over such groups, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.
“They [totalitarian sects] pose a great danger to our society and people, hunting not only for people’s souls but also for their property. I agree that authorities on the regional and federal level should think about improving both the legal basis concerning this issue and practical control over how those laws are being implemented. This will surely be done,” Putin said at a meeting with Samara Region Governor Nikolai Merkushkin and other officials.
Putin also stressed that it was a very sensitive issue, because the freedom of conscience is enshrined in the Russian Constitution.
“Along with representatives of Russia’s four main traditional religions, followers of other religious movements should feel free in Russia, we have no bans,” he said.
