Certain activity on social networks recognized as extremist in Russia may lead to serious legal consequences, up to criminal liability. This was reported by Ilya Rusyaev, managing partner of Rusyaev & Partners law firm.
According to Ilya Rusyaev, a new law enforcement practice has emerged in light of current events.
The prosecutor's office issued a warning to a citizen about the inadmissibility of violating the law due to his activity on Instagram* after Meta** (the owner of this social network) was recognized as an extremist organization in the Russian Federation. The district court refused to satisfy the claim to cancel the warning.
Now, the placement of materials and calls for subscription in social networks blocked by Roskomnadzor on the territory of the Russian Federation are considered by representatives of the law as aiding extremism on the basis of the law "On Counteracting Extremist Activity."
In the given case, the appeal did not help — the decision remained in force.
The definition clarifies that "involvement in extremist activity" (part 1.1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) includes, among other things, calls to subscribe, advertising accounts in banned social networks.
Ilya Rusyaev also emphasized that the mere fact of using a social network does not constitute a crime. But encouraging other users to subscribe is now interpreted as a violation of the law and may qualify as a criminal offense.
* Social network recognized as extremist in Russia
** Organization banned in Russia
Earlier www1.ru reported that the consequences of blocking foreign social networks in Russia have become known.
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