In a significant legal development, a Russian appellate military court has upheld a six-year prison sentence handed down in absentia to Andy Stone, Director of Communications at Meta Platforms.
Justification of Terrorism
This ruling follows Stone's conviction for publicly justifying terrorism, a charge linked to his activities outside Russia, according to Tass.
The court's decision, announced on July 22, 2024, validates the initial verdict delivered by the 2nd Western Military Court. Stone was convicted under Article 205.2 of the Russian Criminal Code, which addresses the public justification of terrorism.
The sentence will commence from the moment of Stone's arrest or extradition to Russia.
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Endorsing Violence
Stone's legal troubles began with accusations related to his online activities on March 11, 2022.
According to Russian authorities, Stone posted material on social media platforms, including X (formerly known as Twitter), which was perceived as endorsing violence against Russian military personnel involved in operations in Ukraine. The posts were said to incite acts of terrorism aimed at harming Russian soldiers.
Stone, who has been accused of promoting aggressive and violent actions against Russian troops, faces a sentence ranging from five to seven years under the relevant legal provisions.
