A Russian military court sentenced spokesman Andy Stone in absentia to six years in prison for “publicly defending terrorism.” Reuters reports. Stone's lawyer reportedly asked for an acquittal and there are plans to appeal the sentence.
A few months after Russian officials put him on a wanted list and began a criminal investigation, a Moscow court for Stone on several terrorism-related charges in February. He cited Stone's alleged “promotion of terrorist activities, public calls for terrorist activities, public justification of terrorism or propaganda of terrorism, and public calls for extremist activities.”
The move comes after Russia's investigative committee opened an investigation into Meta in March 2022. It claimed Stone had incited extremist activity after lifting “a ban on calling for violence against the Russian military on his platforms.” “. , Stone said Meta was “temporarily” allowing some posts that would have previously been removed for inciting violence to remain on its platforms, but noted that the company would still ban “credible calls for violence against Russian civilians.”
In any case, it seems unlikely that Stone will actually spend time behind bars in Russia, unless he travels there or to a country that has an extradition treaty with the nation. It is not unusual for a person to be or sentenced (often for crimes related to espionage or hacking) in another country and will never have to deal with those consequences.
Russia has designated Meta as an extremist organization. It blocked access to Ukraine and shortly after began its invasion in 2022.
Engadget has contacted Meta for comment.