A case has been opened against a staff member of a Moscow bar for offending the feelings of believers over a hookah served on a kulich (traditional Easter cake).

The Investigative Committee reported the opening of a criminal case for offending the feelings of believers (Part 1 of Article 148 of the Criminal Code) after a video spread on social media showing the making of a hookah using a kulich (traditional Easter cake) at the Kisski bar.

“The individual, with the aim of insulting the religious feelings of believers, committed public actions expressing clear disrespect for society. At the same time, she filmed what was happening and subsequently shared the recording on social media,” said the Investigative Committee in its release.

The woman is to be taken to the investigative office for questioning.

The 27-year-old bar employee, Kseniya Belousova (Shirokova), posted a video of making a hookah using a kulich on Threads today at around 9 am. She added the comment: “Even Christ would rise from the dead for this.” From the conversation heard in the background, it appears she was asked to prepare the hookah in this way by a man who also bought the kulich. She also shared the video on Instagram.

Soon after, far-right blogger Vladislav Pozdnyakov and pro-government media outlets Mash, Baza and REN TV drew attention to the video. Pozdnyakov, who has repeatedly organised online campaigns of harassment against women for various reasons, posted Shirokova’s video with the caption: “Time until apologies: 3…2…1.” He also published her personal details.

After the harassment started, the woman posted an Instagram story with an apology: “Friends, I sincerely apologise for my thoughtless act. I never intended to offend anyone. Happy Easter.” She also deleted the video involving the kulich from Instagram.

The bar employee’s surname has been clarified in this article