[JURIST] The curator of a Russian art gallery has been charged with "inciting hatred" [JURIST report] for hosting an exhibit of art banned from other galleries, including pieces that mocked the Russian Orthodox Church [official website] and the nation's military, the Independent reported Wednesday. Yury Samodurov, director of the Sakharov Museum [museum backgrounder] in Moscow, named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, said that the charges were part of a long-running case brought against him by religious and conservative groups. He could face five years in prison if convicted.

Critics say the charges are the latest example of the increasing pressure against Russian artists and writers dealing with provocative topics. The Independent has more.