Russian activist wants Halloween ban
''contrary'' to religious ethics''
A Russian political activist wants public celebrations of Halloween to be banned.
Georgy Federov, a member of the Civic Chamber parliamentary scrutiny body, has called for the change due to American influence in the country, according to Izvestia newspaper.
He insisted the idea of celebrated the annual holiday is ''contrary'' to religious ethics'' in the country and pointed to tension between Russia and the US.
In a letter to Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky, he reportedly wrote: ''Some extremists use these 'holidays' for propaganda purposes... You need to launch counter-propaganda.
''We have our own traditional festivals, which at least do not run contrary to religious ethics and human morality.''