Russia to ban violent computer games after Moscow massacre

Moscow shooter Dmitry Vinogradov, who went on a shooting spree at Rigla pharmaceutical retailer this week and killed 6 people, was a fan of computer game Manhunt. The game is known for its scenes of violence, the Russian News Service said.

Photo: Dmitry Vinogradov

Sergei Zheleznyak, a deputy of United Russia, said that one needed to submit an adequate inquiry to Roskomnadzor (the Federal Surveillance Service for Mass Media and Communications) to ban the game in Russia. The software was designed for adult audiences, but it is available on the Internet to all, including children, which is against the law, New Politics magazine wrote.

United Russia deputy Franz Klintsevich supported Zheleznyak's initiative and expressed a more radical solution. According to him, access to bloody games in general should be restricted in the country, NTV reports.

First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Education Vladimir Burmatov put forward an idea to set up an interdepartmental commission to supervise the sales of computer games. According to Burmatov, playing violent games pushed the Moscow shooter towards the crime, wrote MK.ru.

It is worthy of note that shooter "Manhunt" is banned in many countries of the world.