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Tengrinews.kz – The creator of the "Blue Whale" group has been convicted in Russia, according to the general jurisdiction courts of the Novosibirsk Region.
The verdict against the founder was handed down by the Leninsky District Court of Novosibirsk.
"The creator of the 'Blue Whale' group, Ilya Pogiblov, has been sentenced to nine years in a high-security prison for inciting children to commit suicide," the statement said.
He was found guilty under the following articles: "Involving a minor in committing a crime," "Incitement to suicide through persuasion," and "Organizing activities aimed at encouraging suicide."
“Pogiblov will serve his sentence in a maximum-security penal colony,” the court added.
It was established that Pogiblov had a pathological interest in the death of others.
“In 2023, the convicted individual created a public channel called ‘Blue Whale challenge,’ where he invited followers, including minors. Pogiblov encouraged them to inflict life-threatening injuries on themselves and assigned them deadly tasks,” the report states.
"Blue Whale challenge" and so-called death groups: What you need to know
So-called "death groups" like "Blue Whale" and others began circulating online in 2016. Under the guise of "games," their organizers gave teenagers a series of dangerous tasks often involving self-harm, leading ultimately to suicide.
This phenomenon caused widespread alarm in Kazakhstan and other CIS countries, where minors were also found to have been involved in similar destructive online communities.
Since then, Kazakhstan has stepped up its focus on children's digital safety: schools now conduct awareness sessions, and the cyber police monitor harmful online groups.
However, such threats regularly reappear in new forms — through TikTok, Telegram, and even gaming chats.
Parents and educators are advised to monitor teenagers' online activity and build open, trusting communication around topics such as safety, emotional well-being, and social media use.
