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In Tatarstan, police officers conducted a search at the home of a 15-year-old girl after she posted a TikTok video showing her tearing up a United Russia campaign poster. The girl told the media project Centre Ts. about the incident.
She filmed the video outside on 11 September. While recording, passers-by approached her, and she explained what she was doing and why. In response, one of them said: “Go on, tear it up, fuck it.” The girl later shared that this show of support helped her feel she was not alone. She posted the video on TikTok the same day. When the clip began attracting views, and supportive comments started to appear, the girl realised that posting it might cause her problems, but decided not to delete it.
On 19 September, police came to the teenager’s home and carried out a search. They seized her phone and laptop and then took her and her mother to the station. According to the girl, the reasons for confiscating her devices were not explained, and the family still has not had the phone and laptop returned to them.
At the station, she was questioned about her attitude toward Alexei Navalny and the war in Ukraine.
“You’re a child, why are you getting involved in politics? You don’t understand anything,” the girl relayed the police officers’ words.
The authorities also suggested she might commit violent acts, such as setting fire to railway infrastructure. During the conversation, she had a breakdown, after which she was taken away in an ambulance.
Additionally, according to her, police officers mentioned possible prosecution for displaying extremist symbols. It is unclear what specifically prompted this; Centre Ts. notes that the editorial office has no documents regarding the opening of a separate case or the teenager’s procedural status. According to the girl, she was later summoned to the police again, where she gave an explanation, after which she was registered by the juvenile affairs unit.
Even before the poster incident, the girl had a conflict with the administration of the private school where she studies. They demanded she delete two social media posts, including a parody of Maxim Katz, and threatened to expel her if she did not comply.