Russian Teen Investigated For Nazi Glorification After Social Media Post

A 16-year-old Russian boy faces serious legal hot water after allegedly writing a post online in support of the 1939 Nazi invasion of Poland. The teen could face up to three years in prison if found guilty, according to the Moscow Times.

Russia's Investigative Committee alleged in a statement, via the Moscow Times, that the teenager posted a photograph on social media of Nazi soldiers accompanied with supportive sentiments. Russia passed a new law last year against glorifying Nazism. A spokeswoman for the investigative committee said the alleged action was a violation of laws against the justification of war crimes, according to the Associated Press via the Washington Post.

Russia celebrated Saturday the 70th anniversary of its victory over Nazi Germany with a lavish victory parade. The Victory Day parade touted the country's military might, drew large crowds and was widely celebrated. Leading up to the anniversary, a Russian campaign against fascist symbols gained momentum, the Moscow Times reported. The objects targeted have been as small as Nazi toy solders. Should the case for the teen from the southern city of Astrakhan make it to trial, it would be the first of its kind since the law passed last year. The subject of World War II is still sensitive in Russia, with more than 26 million Soviets dying in the conflict, according to the Associated Press.

Russia's recent Victory Day parade saw thousands of troops march throughout Red Square in Moscow. The parade featured numerous shows of Russia's military power, including large nuclear missiles and the much-anticipated Armata T-14 tank, according to the Wall Street Journal. Many Western leaders, including President Barack Obama, were notably absent from the parade celebrating the WWII victory amid tension over Ukraine's conflict with Pro-Russian separatists. Russian President Vladimir Putin did, however, thank and acknowledge the U.S. and Great Britain for their contributions to the victory in his speech.