Following the designation of her Instagram account as engaging in “extremist activities,” a courageous 18-year-old Russian fashion influencer is now facing six years in prison.
Despite not publishing any political information, Veronika Loginova, who has 556,000 followers on the social networking site, is in danger of going to prison.
By “performing acts to entice people to social networks Facebook and Instagram,” the Kuntsevskaya Interdistrict Prosecutor’s Office accused her of “extremism.”
A Russian court banned Facebook and Instagram in March after finding that they were “carrying out terrorist operations.”
Following its invasion of Ukraine at the end of February, the nation has stepped up its crackdown on demonstrators and media outlets.
In a tearful Instagram post, Loginova wrote: “Prosecutors might visit your home any day.”
I have never been involved in politics, but I may spend six years in prison for operating Instagram.
You awoke this morning in Russia, good morning. I will continue to talk even if we don’t discuss such topics.
Two state prosecutors showed up to Loginova’s house and complained that she “stands out too much” because of the over 1.1 million followers she has on Instagram and YouTube.
The 18-year-old challenged the presumptions on Instagram by writing, “Really? Do I? Is the fashion blogger 18 years old?
An businesswoman who founded her own clothing line and pays taxes to her own nation?
A blogger who focuses on mental health assistance and has never once discussed politics on her blog?
‘Yeah. You’re all set. You exist, create beautiful artwork, establish a successful company, assist others, and refrain from touching anybody.
They come to you out of a million bloggers, but you reside in Russia. What should I now do? Give up Instagram? Escape Russia? Sue?
The popular beauty and fashion influencer started her accounts when she was just 15 and has since grown her fan base.
She determined not to be intimidated by the threat.
She said on Instagram, “I am going to get to the bottom of it, and to cover it here.”
Thankfully, I have the support of others who recognise that this is not normal. I want as many people to be aware of this story as possible since it is so f****d up.
As a result, I’m pleading with everyone to contribute their voice and declare that this is not normal.
Instagram is still widely used by elites and is still accessible using a VPN, despite the fact that Russia has recently developed its own version of the social media app, dubbed “Rossgram.”
There is no evidence that any of the Kremlin Instagram users have ever been charged under Putin’s harsh rules.
Ksenia Shoigu, the daughter of Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, was recently seen in topless beach photos uploaded on the site by her boyfriend, sports writer Alexey Stolyarov, 32.
Ksenia Shoigu, daughter of the defence minister, uses Instagram as well, although only in private mode.
Tatiana Navka, an Olympic skater, is a 47-year-old Instagram fan and the wife of prominent Putin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. She has not been threatened with prison time.