Russian Federal Agency Of News Files Lawsuit Against Facebook Over Account Blocking

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st November, 2018) The Russian Federal Agency of News (FAN), whose accountant has been charged for attempting to meddle in the 2018 US midterm elections, has filed a lawsuit against Facebook for blocking FAN Facebook account, according to the lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California.

"FAN is an independent, authentic and legitimate news agency which publishes reports that are relevant and of interest to the general public," the company said in the lawsuit, refuting allegations of election meddling.

Facebook deleted FAN account in April, citing violation of the social network's rules.

FAN said in the lawsuit that it considered this as nationality-based discrimination.

FAN emphasized that it had not engaged in any illegal activities violating the Facebook services provision rules, or any US law.

On October 19, US Justice Department said it had charged FAN senior accountant, Russian citizen Elena Khusyaynova, with conspiracy to meddle in the 2018 US midterm elections, as well as in the 2016 elections in the country, which Khusyaynova firmly refuted.

The United States has repeatedly accused Russia of interfering in its internal affairs, while Russia keeps denying all accusations as unfounded.