Russian authorities have launched a criminal investigation targeting blogger and businessman Areg Shchepikhin, who was forcibly taken from Moscow's Yaroslavsky train station by Chechen security forces on June 3, according to an official statement from the Investigative Committee.
Shchepikhin faces charges related to allegedly promoting extremist activities (Article 280, Part 2 of the Criminal Code) and inciting ethnic hatred (Article 282, Part 2, Section "a"). His current legal status remains unclear. Investigators confirmed they are conducting procedural actions involving the blogger.
A forensic analysis of Shchepikhin's video content reportedly revealed evidence of "encouraging violence against specific ethnic groups" along with content deemed degrading.
The Investigative Committee also announced that six individuals involved in Shchepikhin's abduction now face charges of kidnapping (Article 126) and official misconduct (Article 286). Authorities plan to request pretrial restrictions for the suspects today.