Russian Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev says there are about 7,500 extremist websites operating in Russia.

Nurgaliyev expressed his concerns Wednesday to a meeting of an interdepartmental commission on fighting extremism in the city of Khabarovsk. He said a set of measures should be developed to restrict the activities of such Internet sites.

The interior minister said the federal media law has already been amended to allow websites to be treated as mass media under certain circumstances. He added that at the same time, media can play a positive role in countering extremism.

Nurgaliyev also told the meeting that about 10 major religious sects are operating in Russia. He said this is of particular concern as sect members often leave their families, break social connections and commit violent crimes. Nurgaliyev stressed the need to monitor their activities and prevent them from committing crimes.