Meta’s senior executive put on ‘wanted’ list by Russia, here’s why

In 2022, Russia designated Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, as a “terrorist and extremist” organization. The decision came amidst the tensions between Russia and the West following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The designation effectively prohibited Meta from operating in Russia and subjects its assets to seizure. It also criminalised the use of Meta’s platforms in the country. Russia had accused Meta of tolerating “Russophobia” during the invasion of Ukraine. Now, Russia has placed a senior Meta executive on the ‘wanted’ list.

According to a report by news agency TASS, Russia’s interior ministry has now declared Andy Stone as a ‘wanted’ man, under the article on the promotion of terrorism (part 2 of Article 205.1 of the Criminal Code), as per news reports.