Man arrested for 'impersonating Jesus' after he is spotted walking with giant cross on his back

Russia: A 23-year-old man identified as Ilya Novikov who was spotted walking along a street in the city of Perm in central Russia's Perm Krai region carrying a big wooden cross on his back has been arrested for impersonating Jesus Christ.

The filmmaker and artist was accused of blasphemy by local church leaders and was also accused of being a potential traffic hazard by the police.
In a video filmed by an eyewitness, motorists and pedestrians were seen yelling insults at Novikov. He was later arrested by two policemen and taken to a police station for questioning before he was later released.

Commenting on the arrest, a police spokesman said:

"A man in white clothes, carrying a cross, was spotted by onlookers and police were called to the scene. Officers talked with the man at the police station and let him go."

Mr Novikov said:

"My friend gave me some wooden sticks so I made a cross out of them. The experience of Jesus Christ was repeated. People were laughing, shouting and mocking me.

"This reaction proves that the Bible story was true and that after 2,000 years people have still not changed - we are still cruel and intolerant to our neighbours."

A Rev. father and the rector of the city's Church of St George, father Igor Anoufriev condemned the stunt as blasphemy saying;

"This, of course, offends believers. Nobody has the right to try on the image of Jesus Christ, who is our sacred lord," he said.