Meta spokesperson placed on Russia’s wanted list, ‘arrested’ in absentia for ‘aiding terrorism’

Russia’s Internal Affairs Ministry has placed Meta spokesperson Andy Stone on the federal wanted list. It appears he has been on the list since February of this year, according to Mediazona, who found the information in the ministry’s database.

Earlier this November, a Russian court ordered Stone’s “arrest” in absentia for “aiding terrorism,” reported Mediazona.

In March 2022, Russia’s Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case against Meta employees, including Stone, for “calls for extremist activity” and “aiding terrorism” because of the company’s decision not to block calls for violence against Russian military personnel on its social networks. That same month, Russian authorities blocked Facebook and Instagram and declared Meta an “extremist” organization.