A new administrative case under Article 13.53 of the Russian Administrative Code, which establishes liability for searching for banned materials, has been sent to a court in Chechnya. Mediazona drew attention to the filing.
According to the outlet, the protocol reached the Achkhoy-Martan District Court on June 22, 2026. It was drawn up against a 22-year-old resident of the village of Achkhoy-Martan. A Mediazona reporter was unable to reach him because he did not answer phone calls.
The published information does not yet clarify what specific actions led to the protocol or what exactly law enforcement accuses him of.
This is the fifth known use of Article 13.53 of the Administrative Code. The provision came into force in September 2025. The maximum penalty under it is a fine of up to 5,000 rubles.
The first known protocol under this article was issued against a 20-year-old resident of Sverdlovsk Region. There have also been reports of two more protocols in Kuzbass.
Another protocol had previously been issued against 29-year-old Isa Magamadov from the Chechen village of Alpatovo. According to law enforcement, he had searched for the opposition Telegram channels NIYSO and TABUK. It has not been disclosed how the authorities obtained that information. Magamadov was ultimately fined 3,000 rubles.