Ilkhom Merajov, an imam of the Asian Muslim Administration of Russia, has refused to admit guilt for extremism formations, RIA Novosti reports.
The prosecutor noted that the charges had nothing about religion. Merajov and his assistant were suspected of participating in the so-called Nurjular, an international association banned in Russia in 2008. The imam said he was anaware of its illegality.
The operation for disarming members of Nurjular had been in action in Novosibirsk since 2009. The organization was created in the region in May 2008 and continued operation until 2011. It was publishing extremist theological literature, promoting radical ideology and recruiting new members.
Participation in the organization may be punished by up to 2 years of jail.
