Russia includes Meta’s spokesman on its wanted list

Russia has included Andy Stone, spokesman for Meta platforms, on its wanted list due to undisclosed charges.

According to the Russian Interior Ministry had opened a criminal investigation against Stone, with the Russian Interior Ministry not disclosing any details about the investigation or accusations.

Russia had banned Facebook and Instagram, the most prominent meta platforms, shortly after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February last year.

In March 2022, the Russian Investigative Committee said it had opened a criminal investigation into the illegal actions of Meta employees and referred to Stone, saying he had unblocked calls for violence against the Russian military on its platforms and was thus inciting extremist activity.

Meanwhile, Meta’s press office didn’t immediately respond to a Reuters request seeking comment from Stone and Meta outside regular business hours.