A fashion-blogging influencer could be jailed for up to six years after using Instagram in Russia.
The social media app and Facebook have both banned in Russia by Vladimir Putin "in connection with the implementation of extremist activities".
Veronika Loginova, 18, has posted letters which she has allegedly received from Kuntsevo Interdistrict Prosecutor's Office on Instagram as well as a lengthy statement to her 556,000 followers about her violations against the law.
The letter accused the teenager of taking "actions to attract users to the social networks Facebook and Instagram" and is believed to be the first to be prosecuted since the social media platforms' bans in March.
It said in the letter that Loginova had been in "participation in the activities of an extremist organization", which carries a penalty of up to six years in prison.
Loginova wrote on the social media platform to describe how she was in Paris when the two policemen arrived at her family home on August 17. The influencer said she received a call from her mum saying "the police came to our house and they are looking for you" before she was given the documents for her arrest.
Her post started: "Now I face a prison sentence of up to 6 years for maintaining Instagram. Good morning, you woke up in Russia. And it's not customary to talk about it, but I will say.
"Are you serious? Me? 18-year-old girl a fashion blogger? Entrepreneur, creator of a clothing brand who pays taxes to her own country? A person who posts about mental health support and never touched a political agenda on her blog? Yup. Just like that.
"You live, take beautiful photos, build a business, help people, do not touch anyone. But you live in Russia, and among a million bloggers they come to you."
It is believed that Loginova is working with Russian digital rights group Roskomsvoboda, which the 18-year-old said there has not been "a single similar case in the history of my lawyer's work" relating to the persecution.
Despite Loginova's charges for using Instagram, several Russian allies of Putin have uploaded photos on to the social media platform.
Tatiana Navka, wife of Vladimir Putin's press-secretary Dmitry Peskov, was snapped partying in Greece on 19 August, 2022, while Alexey Stolyarov, partner of Russian defence minister's daughter Ksenia Shoigu, shared a picture of her lazying topless by the Black Sea in August this year on his account.
Loginova continued: "What will I do? Should I quit Instagram? To run away from Russia? Taking a lawsuit? To figure out and shed light on this story here.
"Thankfully I have support in the form of people who understand. This is not normal. This is a total f**k up. And I want this story to be heard by as many people as possible.
"I will be grateful to everyone who can support with a repost and shed light on the situation. This is really important. I attach the same letter in the carousel. And a little of my emotions."
Roskomsvoboda's head of practice Sargis Darbinyan has said that an appeal has been lodged and, if the warning is not "cancelled", they will continue to fight at a higher court.
