Russian court sentences writer on terror-related charges
A court in Russia has sentenced in absentia writer Grigory Chkhartishvili, known by his pen name Boris Akunin, to a lengthy prison term for facilitating and justifying terrorist activities.
The author, who made a name for himself in historical fiction, has not lived in Russia since 2014. He has repeatedly criticized Russia’s leadership since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated.
In January of 2024, Russian authorities designated Akunin a foreign agent.
On Monday, a military court sentenced the writer in absentia to 14 years in prison, while imposing a fine on him of 400,000 rubles ($5,000).
According to the prosecution, the author has published statements in the public domain on multiple occasions since 2023 calling for the overthrow of the Russian government by force.
In February of 2024, Akunin wrote in a Telegram post that he no longer believed in the possibility of ‘evolutionary’ change in Russia and expressed support for a revolution.
In a phone conversation with Russian pranksters Vovan and Lexus in December of 2023, the writer said he was ready to support Ukraine.
Responding to the sentence, Akunin wrote in a Telegram post that he does not “recognize their court,” dismissing the entire process as a farce.
Last week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Expert magazine that Russia’s current media restrictions are justified.
“This is a time of military censorship that is unprecedented in our country. The war is being fought in the information space as well,” the official argued.
Russian authorities have also accused Akunin of breaking the country’s ‘foreign agent’ law by posting content without the mandatory corresponding disclosure.
Adopted in 2012, Russia’s foreign agent law applies to individuals or entities engaged in financial or political activities in the interests of a foreign state.
The designation imposes certain restrictions and requirements: foreign agents must label all their content accordingly, regularly submit detailed financial reports to the Justice Ministry, and disclose their funding sources. Failure to comply is punishable by up to two years in prison.
