Moscows Terrorist List Grows: Kidnapped Entrepreneur Falsely Accused Amid Controversy

Russia’s financial monitoring agency, Rosfinmonitoring, has recently added Areg Shchepikhin, a tech entrepreneur of Russian-Armenian descent, to its registry of «terrorists and extremists.» This decision comes just weeks after he was abducted in daylight from a train station in Moscow.

On June 3, Shchepikhin was captured on video being forced into an SUV by individuals believed to be of Chechen ethnicity, shortly after he posted a controversial Instagram video criticizing both Chechens and Islam. Chechen officials insisted that he was not abducted but rather «apprehended by law enforcement.»

Later that evening, Shchepikhin was released, only to be arrested by police on allegations of insulting religious sentiments and inciting extremism. The individuals accused of his abduction have faces charges of kidnapping and abuse of power, yet they have reportedly evaded arrest, and their current locations remain unknown.

On June 26, a Moscow City Court dismissed Shchepikhin’s appeal against his pre-trial detention. He reportedly conveyed «deep regret» regarding his online remarks and extended an apology «to all Russian citizens, particularly those from the Caucasus region.»

If found guilty, he could face a prison sentence of up to six years.

Rosfinmonitoring’s registry features over 17,800 individuals and more than 800 organizations. Being placed on this list empowers the authorities to freeze bank accounts and restrict access to financial services without the need for a court order.