00:34, 11 March 2026

An Abinsk resident received the first fine in Russia for extremist content on Max.

The Abinsky District Court of the Krasnodar Territory fined local resident Ivan Kazhan one thousand rubles for displaying extremist symbols. This is the first known punishment in Russia for content on the state-run messaging app Max.

The audience of the Russian state-run messaging app MAX has reached 100 million people. RIA Novosti reported on March 10, citing the platform's press service, that 70 million people use it daily, sending over a billion messages and making 28 million calls.

The image first attracted the attention of law enforcement agencies in February 2026. Following this, an administrative case was opened, Kommersant reported today.

According to the court ruling, between June and August 2025, Kazhan posted and used a photo as his profile picture on the MAX messenger app, which showed a tattoo on his body, the symbol of the international social movement "AUE - Prisoner Thieves' Unity." The movement is recognized as extremist in Russia, according to a document on the Abinsky District Court website.

During the court hearing, Kazhan pleaded guilty. The court found him guilty of committing an administrative offense under the article on the display of extremist symbols and sentenced him to a fine of one thousand rubles.

According to the court file on the court's website, Ivan Kazhan's case was received for consideration on March 3, and a ruling was issued at the very first hearing.

"Caucasian Knot" also reported that in early March, a Novorossiysk resident was detained for public calls to set fire to hospitals.

Translated automatically via Google translate from https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/421493