Russian activist fined for posting segment of US comedy show

MOSCOW – A Russian opposition activist has been fined for posting a segment from an American comedy show on social media because the Islamic State group’s flag was displayed.

Russian news agencies said on Thursday a court in the city of Cheborksary has fined Semyon Kochkin, co-ordinator at the campaign headquarters of t opposition leader Alexei Navalny, 1,500 rubles ($27) for public display of outlawed insignia. Kochkin last year posted on VKontakte a segment from John Oliver’s “Last Week Tonight” where the IS banner was shown. Russian law forbids public display of symbols of terrorist organizations.

Rights groups have documented a rise in convictions for social media posts in Russia in recent years. Moscow-based Sova group, which studies human rights, nationalism and xenophobia, said in a statement that Kochkin’s prosecution was unlawful.