Russian blogger Artemy Lebedev fined 300,000 rubles over Safe Internet League insult

Russian court bailiffs have collected 300,000 rubles from blogger and designer Artemy Lebedev after he insulted the Safe Internet League. The league's head Ekaterina Mizulina announced the enforcement of the defamation judgment on May 27. Lebedev had previously called the organization a crude name.

Russian blogger and designer Artemy Lebedev has had 300,000 rubles seized by court bailiffs following a defamation lawsuit filed against him by Ekaterina Mizulina, head of the Safe Internet League. Mizulina announced the successful enforcement of the court judgment via Telegram on May 27.

The lawsuit stemmed from Lebedev publicly calling the Safe Internet League an obscene name — essentially dismissing the organization as worthless. Mizulina filed the suit on grounds of protecting her honour and dignity, and the Russian courts ruled in her favour.

The Safe Internet League is a Russian organization that advocates for restricting online content deemed harmful, and it operates closely with Russian state authorities. Mizulina, daughter of controversial lawmaker Yelena Mizulina, has been an active figure in Russia's internet censorship landscape.

Lebedev, one of Russia's most prominent graphic designers and internet personalities, has long been known for his outspoken and provocative commentary on public figures and institutions. The 300,000-ruble penalty marks one of the more notable enforcement actions against him in recent memory.