Russia convicts the spokesperson for Facebook owner Meta in a swift trial in absentia
A court in Russia on Monday convicted the spokesperson of U.S. technology company Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, of justifying terrorism and sentenced him to six years in prison in a swift trial in absentia, Russia’s independent news site Mediazona reported.
According to the outlet, the charges against Meta communications director Andy Stone stem from his remarks in 2022 following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 that year. Stone, who is based in the United States, 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.’”
In the same statement, Stone added that “credible calls for violence against Russian civilians” would remain banned. The Russian authorities opened a criminal case implicating Stone and other unidentified Meta employees nonetheless, describing the statement as “illegal calls to violence and killings of Russian citizens.”
Related articles
Young Boys seals 6th Swiss soccer league title in 7 years after rallying from firing coach Wicky
GENEVA (AP) — Young Boys sealed its sixth Swiss league title in seven years by winning at Servette 12024-05-21Alabama lawmakers propose compromise on gambling bill with lottery, electronic wagering machines
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers on Tuesday proposed a compromise on gambling legislation t2024-05-21Olympic refugee athlete Lohalith suspended in the team's 3rd doping case ahead of Paris Games
GENEVA (AP) — A third runner on the Refugee Olympic Team has been suspended for a positive doping te2024-05-21Climate change could virtually disappear in Florida — at least according to state law
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida, perhaps the most vulnerable state to sea-level rise and extreme we2024-05-21Cruise worker 'murders newborn son on board ship': Shocked co
A cruise worker on board an Italian ship 'murdered her newborn son' as horrified co-workers raised t2024-05-21Whoopi Goldberg fights back tears as The View host defends 'mad' student protesters
The View host Whoopi Goldberg appeared to fight back tears as she defended students protesting at co2024-05-21
atest comment