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In Krasnodar Krai, a region in southern Russia, 23-year-old blogger Mansur Gneev has been detained. This was reported by “Caucasus. Realities.”

He is facing criminal charges under an “extremism” article (most likely Article 280 of the Criminal Code) over a video on his YouTube channel. On the morning of 23 September, around ten people came to the young man’s home, including FSB officers, two NTV television staff, and a police officer who was a member of the ‘Russian Community’.

“As soon as Mansur opened the door, he was pinned to the floor. Then they put him in handcuffs. My husband offered no resistance,” said Mansur Gneev’s wife, Raida Gneyeva. She added that she heard her husband being beaten. “This 'officer' [a member of the ‘Russian Community’] said: ‘I was waiting for you to commit a crime. And I’ve found you.’ … During the entire search and conversations, everyone was laughing, joking,” she wrote. The security forces seized all the family’s technology. They stated that Gneev would be sent to Pre-trial Detention Centre No. 1 in Krasnodar. His wife currently has no contact with him.

Gneev’s four-month-old son remains at home.

25 September Mansur Gneev was sent to pre-trial detention for two months, reports SOCHI1.ru

27 September Mansur Gneev still had not made contact with his family, reported “Caucasus. Realities.” Meanwhile, a Telegram channel called “Muslim Community of Krasnodar” appeared. Its authors claimed to have spoken to the detainee, who had allegedly been allowed a phone call from the detention centre. Citing his lawyer, they said Gneev had been beaten in custody, resulting in “problems with his eye.” His wife does not believe this information: “Supposedly he was allowed to call. But who did he call, then? Neither his father, mother, nor sister know anything. And why am I not informed about the lawyer’s actions? Is it so hard to find my current phone number? They blocked me on that channel because I left angry messages.”

  • In November 2024, Mansur Gneev was fined 15,000 roubles (approximately US$170) under the article on incitement of hatred (Article 20.3.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences). According to case materials, the blogger posted a video on his YouTube channel in which he “spoke disparagingly about representatives of other faiths.” Shortly before, he had criticised the ‘Russian Community.’