Russian court sentences Meta spokesperson to six years in absentia

MOSCOW : A protection power court docket in Moscow on Monday sentenced Meta Platforms spokesperson Andy Stone to six years in penal complicated for “publicly defending terrorism”, a verdict handed down in absentia, RIA news agency reported.

Meta itself is designated an extremist organisation in Russia and its Facebook and Instagram social media platforms like been banned in the country since 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine.

Meta failed to straight reply to a anticipate for observation. Stone, Meta’s communications director, would maybe maybe well no longer straight be reached.

Interfax cited the defendant’s lawyer, Valentina Filippenkova, as announcing that the sentence would maybe be appealed.

“I requested for an acquittal,” she used to be quoted as announcing.

Russia’s inner ministry opened a prison investigationinto Stone unhurried last 365 days, with out disclosing order charges.

RIA cited shriek investigators as announcing Stone had published on-line feedback that defended “aggressive, antagonistic and violent actions” in direction of Russian squaddies all for what Moscow calls its “particular protection power operation” in Ukraine.