Bastrykin called for banning Instagram in Russia after the “terrorist attack in Leningrad”

The head of the Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin, announced the need to close the Instagram social network in Russia after the "terrorist attack in Leningrad," writes RBC. Later, the UK explained that it was about Telegram.

Details

• The head of the UK made his statement at the congress of commissioners for children's rights. He said that an information war is being waged against Russia and that foreign experience should be looked at.
• Quote : “In Turkey, instead of Yandex, Google has its own work information system for children. And we can't even close Instagram. And by the way, Instagram should be closed, because last year the terrorist attack in Leningrad was carried out with the help of Instagram, ”said the head of the Investigative Committee.
• Bastrykin also urged to reduce the procedure for closing sites and programs and not delay for years. “Now I was told that Instagram is suing the state. This is a complete distortion of the situation,” Bastrykin said.
• Later, material about Bastrykin's speech appeared on the website of the Investigative Committee . It said that the head of the Investigative Committee “emphasized the expediency of closing the Telegram messenger, which was used by attackers in committing especially serious crimes, including the terrorist attack on the St. Petersburg metro in 2017.”

Context

In the terrorist attack in the St. Petersburg metro in April 2017, 16 people were killed and another 60 were injured. Officials and the FSB believe that the terrorist attack was organized through Telegram. As Alexander Zharov, the head of Roskomnadzor, recently said , the special services have irrefutable evidence that “all recent terrorist attacks, including in Russia” were coordinated via Telegram.

• On April 16, the Tagansky Court of Moscow decided to block Telegram in Russia and execute the decision immediately. However, it has not yet entered into force - Telegram's lawyers filed an appeal.
• Leningrad was renamed Saint Petersburg in 1991.

Vladimir Motorin