According to the library director, Natalia Sharina, Moscow authorities have seized more than 50 books saying they need to check their content, UNIAN reports Dec. 23.
The books were impounded by Russia interior ministry’s department to fight extremism, Sharina went on.
Asked by library officials why they were seizing the books, the Russians said they needed the books for linguistic and psychological analysis.
Under Art. 13 of the Russian federal law “On countering extremist activities,” books listed on Russia justice ministry’s official site are regarded extremist, Sharina explained, adding that the Ukrainian library had none of such books.
The books impounded by the Russians include the one about Metropolitan Sheptytsky, OUN-UPA, Pora NGO, as well as newspapers Nation and State, Way to Victory, Ukrainian Word.
On Dec. 21, Russian media carried reports alleging that the Ukrainian library in Moscow was involved in the dissemination of anti-Russian literature.
Library officials called the reports provocations.
Ukraine ambassador in Moscow said the embassy has no authority over the library as it is owned by Moscow city administration.