Famous Russian atheist blogger, Ruslan Sokolovsky, who has been arrested and sent to pre-trial detention for playing "Pokemon Go" in a church, has filed an appeal against his case.

Sokolovsky was arrested on Saturday, Sept 3, and was charged with enticing religious hatred after uploading a video online of himself playing "Pokemon Go" inside the historical Church of All Saints in Yekaterinburg. Now, authorities have received an appeal from the blogger against his arrest.

Like Us on Facebook

BBC News reported that Sokolovsky said his arrest was complete nonsense. "Who could get offended if you're just walking around with your smart phone in a church?" Sokolovky said.

However, according to Yahoo News, investigators have found evidence that warrants to "incitement to hatred" and "attacks on the liberty of faith" after Sokolovsky's home was searched. Russian authorities have already issued a public warning that "Pokemon Go" users could be arrested under the country's' strict anti-blasphemy laws if they are caught playing the game inside any church.

According to investigators, Sokolovsky's action of filming himself playing "Pokemon Go" inside a historical cathedral, and posting it publicly on YouTube, was an attempt to protest against the rule.

Meanwhile, Nadya Tolokonnikova, singer of the Russian punk band "Pussy Riot," posted a tweet supporting Sololovsky's appeal. In 2012, she and her co-band member were arrested for nearly two years because they were accused of hooliganism and religious hatred after performing in a church. Some netizens have expressed support for the blogger on social media.

Jaroslav Niklov, the head of the State of Duma's religious affairs committee, said that catching a Pokemon inside a church is simply just using a smartphone within a religious building, and nothing in relation to insulting religious feelings.