Insulting prophet of Islam not freedom of expression: Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said insulting Prophet Muhammad (pubh) does not count as the expression of artistic freedom. 

During his annual news conference, Putin said insults to the prophet are violation of religious freedom and it also violates the sacred feeling of the people who profess Islam, reports TASS.

Meanwhile, Putin also praised artistic freedom in general and also pointed to its limitations.

He said these acts give rise to extremist reprisals, citing the attack on the editorial office of Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris after its publication of cartoons of the prophet as an example.