Sorokin's "Blue Fat" on trial

The government office's deputy chief Alexei Volin told reporters Thursday that the decision to institute criminal proceedings against writer Vladimir Sorokin on pornography charges "stirs up the mixed feeling of depression and surprise". He also referred to that move as an encouragement of vandalism.

"The controversial work 'Blue Fat' was issued three years ago but no pornography accusations have been heard over the past period despite the fact of the book's wide discussion by the readers," said Volin.

In his opinion, "the burst of prosecutor's office's activity happened for unknown reasons immediately after the action on eliminating 'harmful writings' staged by the youth movement 'Marching hand-in-hand'." He believes law-enforcers ought to keep out of any suspicions of engagement.

Besides, said Volin, history has taught us that persistent attempts by law-enforcers and "progressive public" to bar writers from "wrongful" writing does not result in anything good either for literature or for the country as a whole.

Sorokin is to be tried on charges of "disseminating pornography materials".