Areg Shchepikhin, a businessman and blogger, was detained in Moscow, not kidnapped, for allegedly insulting the religious feelings of believers. This information was shared by Akhmed Dudaev, Minister of National Policy of the Chechen Republic.

The incident occurred at the Yaroslavl railway station, where witnesses reported seeing several men forcing a man into the trunk of a black Mercedes with flashing lights. Eyewitnesses believed it was a kidnapping, and the event was captured on video.

Police investigated the reported kidnapping after receiving information. The car was later located on the Kiev highway and then returned to the Yaroslavl railway station. Fingerprints were taken from the Mercedes, and bags were removed for investigation. Six men resembling those involved in the incident were taken into custody.

The individual initially believed to be kidnapped was identified as Areg Shchepikhin. He had recently posted a video online criticizing a Chechen individual, their family, nationality, and religion.

According to Minister Dudaev, Shchepikhin was detained as part of an investigation into violating Article 148 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which addresses insulting the feelings of believers. Dudaev stated that Shchepikhin had repeatedly called for ethnic cleansing and Nazism, insulted religion, expressed extremist views, and stated intentions of violence against children. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Chechen Republic has been investigating Shchepikhin since June 3, and Dudaev assured that all necessary legal measures would be taken.