Russian interior ministry adds Meta spokesperson to wanted list
Russia’s interior ministry has added the spokesman of U.S. technology company Meta to a wanted list, according to the country’s online database. The addition of Meta communications director Andy Stone comes weeks after Russian authorities classified Meta as a “terrorist and extremist” organization, potentially leading to criminal proceedings against Russian residents who use its platforms.
Stone’s inclusion on the list was first reported by Russian state agency Tass and independent news outlet Mediazona. The interior ministry’s database does not provide details on the case against Stone, only stating that he is wanted on criminal charges. Meta has not responded to a request for comment.
According to Mediazona, Stone was added to the wanted list in February 2022, but the authorities did not make any related statements at the time, and no news media reported on the matter until now.
The move comes after Russia’s federal Investigative Committee opened a criminal investigation into Meta in March. The investigation alleges that the company’s actions following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 amounted to inciting violence against Russians.
After Russian troops moved into Ukraine, Stone announced temporary changes to Meta’s hate speech policy to allow for “forms of political expression that would normally violate (its) rules, like violent speech such as ‘death to the Russian invaders.’” Stone also clarified that “credible calls for violence against Russian civilians” would remain banned.
Mediazona reported that an unspecified Russian court issued an arrest warrant earlier this month for Stone on charges of “facilitating terrorism,” although the source of this information could not be independently verified.
In addition, Russian authorities have blocked Western social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter), as well as barred Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg from entering the country.
This move is part of a broader crackdown on independent media and other forms of critical speech in the country, with the social media platforms now only accessible via VPN.