Criminal case of extremism and hatred incitement opened against Schepikhin

The Investigating Committee of the Russian Federation (ICRF) has initiated a criminal case against Areg Schepikhin, a blogger, who was kidnapped at the Yaroslavsky Railway Station in Moscow. Today, they plan to choose a freedom restriction measure for his kidnappers.

"A psychological and linguistic examination of his statements has revealed signs of incitement to commit violent acts against a group of people identified by national/ethnic characteristics, as well as humiliation of them," the official Telegram channel of the ICRF has informed.

The case has been opened under Part 2 of Article 280 (public calls for extremist activities via the Internet) and point "a" of Part 2 of Article 282 of the Russian Criminal Code (incitement of hatred or hostility, as well as humiliation of human dignity with a threat of violence). It should be noted here that the maximum sanction under the former article is up to five, and under the latter one – up to six years of freedom deprivation. "He will be charged and a preventive measure will be chosen in the near future," the ICRF has stated in its report.

The six men who had kidnapped Areg Schepikhin at the Yaroslavsky Railway Station in Moscow have been charged under the articles on kidnapping and abuse of office, the press service of the ICRF has noted, adding that active work with the defendants continues, and confrontations are being held in order to establish all the circumstances. "Investigators intend to apply to the court with a petition to choose a preventive measure for those accused," the report said.

This was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 5, 2025 at 02:07 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.