NEW YORK: Russia has put the name of the spokesman of U.S. technology giant Meta on a wanted list, Western media reported on Sunday.
According to an online database maintained by the country’s interior ministry Andy Stone’s name has been included in the most wanted list.
Russian authorities in October termed Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, as a terrorist and extremist organization. It alleged that Meta is opening the way for possible criminal proceedings against Russian citizens.
The interior ministry’s database does not elaborate details of the case against Stone, saying he is wanted on criminal charges.
According to media reports Stone’s name was included on the wanted list in February 2022, however, Russian authorities made no statements until this week.
Russia launches criminal investigation against Meta
In March this year, Russia’s federal Investigative Committee launched a criminal investigation against Meta. It said that the company’s actions after Ukraine war in February 2022 amounted to provoke violence against Russians.
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After the Russian war started, Stone announced temporary changes to Meta’s hate speech policy permitting forms of political expression that would violate its rules.
As per media reports an unspecified Russian court earlier this month issued an arrest warrant for Stone, on charges of facilitating terrorism.
Russia In April 2022, also stopped Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg from entering the country.
