Russia accuses Google and Facebook of interference in domestic politics
Russia has accused Google and Facebook of agitation on election day and interference in internal affairs. Immediately before the vote, election advertising was distributed via the search engine, the social network and the video platform YouTube, the Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor announced on Sunday.
A commission in parliament will investigate whether foreign forces are attempting to influence the election in this way, it said.
On Sunday, around 56 million Russians were called to vote at regional and municipal level across the country. The ballot is seen as an important test of public opinion for President Vladimir Putin. Prior to the vote, opposition members had organized mass protests for fair elections, during which police violence was used against peaceful demonstrators.
The Ministry of the Interior emphasized that the election day was calm. More than 300 violations had been reported. However, this would have no influence on the election results, the ministry announced.
Observers from the human rights organization Golos also reported hundreds of attempts at manipulation and obstructions to their work. The Golos press spokesperson was arrested without giving any reason, the organization announced.
According to the citizens' portal OWD-Info, at least 16 people were also arrested, including journalists, a local politician and Maria Alyokhina, a prominent member of the punk band Pussy Riot. (SDA)
