Facebook just banned Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov in compliance with U.S. sanctions

Facebook obeys U.S. sanctions. This rule was made abundantly clear after a Russian internet watchdog demanded an explanation for why Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov's Facebook and Instagram accounts had been blocked. 

The controversial leader said his accounts were blocked without an explanation on Saturday, according to The Guardian. The decision from Facebook, which owns Instagram, came after the U.S. imposed travel and financial sanctions against Kadyrov last week.

“We became aware and have now confirmed that the accounts appear to be maintained by or on behalf of parties who appear on the U.S. Specially Designated Nationals List and thus, subject to U.S. trade sanctions. For this reason, Facebook has a legal obligation to disable these accounts," a Facebook spokesperson wrote in an email to Mashable.  Read more...