Moscow Court Declares `Innocence of Muslims` Extremist

The judge noted that anyone dissatisfied with the verdict will have the opportunity to appeal once the final ruling had been delivered. Today's conclusion comes ahead of the full ruling which is expected on October 5.

Google, which owns YouTube, where the film was originally posted, announced shortly after the ruling that it would block access to the film in Russia as soon as it receives a formal court order.

"If a country where YouTube is localized, Google Inc. or its daughter company YouTube LLC receives a court order or an official announcement that a particular video on YouTube is ruled to be illegal, then after review of the order the company will block the video on the territory of that country," a Google spokesperson told RIA Novosti earlier.

Last Friday, a court in Grozny, the capital of Russia's mainly Islamic Republic of Chechnya also ruled against the widespread distribution of the film.

The Grozny court ordered that restrictions on the distribution of the film be implemented before the ruling formally comes into force, according to Chechnya's Media Ministry.

Mobile network operators have agreed to carry out the court's instructions.