Russia’s government agency for culture and cinematography refuted earlier reports alleging it had effectively banned distribution of Baron Cohen’s controversial comedy Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan from theaters across Russia, the RIA-Novosti news agency reported.

Earlier, media reports said the Federal Agency for Culture and Cinematography would refuse to grant permission for Sacha Baron Cohen’s film, citing its distributor in Moscow. The agency said the film could offend some viewers and contained material that “might seem disparaging in relation to certain ethnic groups and religions,” according to Vadim Ivanov, theatrical sales director at Twentieth Century Fox C.I.S.

Ivanov said he was unaware of an instance in which Russian authorities have banned a non-pornographic movie. Officials at the government agency did not respond to phone calls seeking comment. Ivanov said he hoped the agency would relent and that the film, which packed theatres to debut as the top weekend movie in North America, will premiere in Russia as scheduled on Nov. 30. The agency informed the company in a letter that it would not grant the permission required to show the film in theatres, but later said the decision was not official, Ivanov noted. “This story is not over,” he said.

Hours later the agency said it had never banned the comedy but only advised movie theaters to refrain from playing it, the RIA-Novosti news agency reported. “The distributor (Twentieth Century Fox C.I.S.) has never applied for a distribution license, but the department for cinematography has recommended to refrain from distribution,” Yuri Vasyuchkov of the Federal Agency for Culture told RIA.

Cohen’s comic character Borat Sagdiyev has told the world that Kazakhs are addicted to drinking horse urine, enjoy shooting dogs, view rape and incest as respectable hobbies and are fond of pursuits such as “running of the Jew” festivals.

Russia has close political ties with Kazakhstan, whose officials — and citizens — have long seethed at the depiction of their country. The move comes as Kremlin critics accuse President Vladimir Putin’s government of restricting freedoms and tightening control over society. Amid a growing wave of extreme nationalism and hate crimes, it appears to reflect efforts by Russian authorities — long accused of turning a blind eye — to show that they are cracking down on intolerance.

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