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Duma Asked to Rework Bill on Offending Religion

The government asked parliament to amend a bill that proposes jail terms for "offending religious feeling," a measure lawmakers proposed after last year's Pussy Riot protest at a Moscow cathedral.

The government suggested in a statement Sunday that existing legislation, if altered, might suffice to protect faith communities, and it seemed to question the need for the bill. Critics have said it may harm Jews, Muslims and others outside the Russian Orthodox Church whom President Vladimir Putin has been careful not to alienate.

One of the bill's sponsors, Yaroslav Nilov, said the government's advice would be heeded.

(Reuters)

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