Russian Charges Dropped Over 'Shari'a' Remark

Dagir Khasavov fled the country after an investigation began into his comment.

Charges have reportedly been dropped against Russian lawyer Dagir Khasavov, who was quoted in an interview as saying that Muslims in Russia should have Islamic Shari'a courts.

Khasavov's lawyer, Sergei Belyak, said on October 1 that his client now plans to return to Russia.

Khasavov left Russia in May after authorities launched an investigation accusing him of "inciting hatred and extremism" by saying that Muslims in Russia want Shari’a courts as they do not trust the existing secular courts.

Belyak said Khasavov's words were distorted by editors, whom he accused of selectively using parts of Khasavov's April interview.

Shari'a is considered by Muslims to be God's infallible law, in contrast to human interpretations of right and wrong.

Based on reporting by Interfax and ITAR-TASS