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The so-called "blasphemy law," which stipulates criminal prosecution for any abuse of religious feelings, has already provoked a chorus of criticism, with many warning that it will be applied selectively, increase religious intolerance and violate the Constitution's recognition of Russia as a secular state....
....The new legislation came about after Orthodox believers cried foul over the female punk band Pussy Riot's controversial performance in Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral last year, a performance which saw three young women repeatedly denounced during trial for "offending religious believers" and sentenced to two-years behind bars for "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred." Conservative-leaning segments of Russian society have said the new law, initiated last September by deputies of the State Duma's four factions, would serve to protect the Russian Orthodox Church — whose image observers say has worsened significantly in the last several years — from actions similar to those of Pussy Riot....

....The new draft of the bill lowers the maximum prison sentence for "offending the feelings of religious believers" to three years, while the maximum fine stays at 500,000 rubles ($16,000). In addition, prosecutors have to prove that the offenders' actions were premeditated. The bill would also punish "desecration of religious literature, marks, labels and symbols."

Does anyone know which religious bodies (besides the ROC) hare recognized by Russia? I know how it's done many European countries. Here's an except from a US State Dept. briefing about Slovakia, by way of example:

Registration of religious groups is not required, but under existing law, only registered religious groups have the explicit right to conduct public worship services and other activities, although no specific religions or practices are banned or discouraged by the authorities in practice. Those that register receive government benefits, including subsidies for clergymen, office expenses, the right to visit and proselytize in prisons and hospitals, and access to public television broadcasting. Government funding also is provided to religious schools and to teachers who lecture on religion in state schools. The Government occasionally subsidizes one-time projects and significant religious activities, and registered religious groups are partly exempt from paying taxes and import custom fees. A religion may elect not to accept the subsidies....Nonregistered religious groups may not build public places of worship or conduct legally valid religious ceremonies such as weddings....
-- from a U.S. Dept of State briefing on religious freedom in the Slovak Republic

Thus, I would have concerns that the Russian govt will only prosecute religious persecution against religious bodies that it officially recognizes.

And here's the dilemma of the American Right: the Ultimate Truth is inherently "sectarian," and by the very nature of things refuses to recognize or even respect any other claimant to that title.

American conservatives recognize this at some level. But at another, in order to be "true Americans," they have to split themselves in two, one half devoted to G-d and the other to Thomas Jefferson.

This is the foundational flaw of our country.