Russian court sentences writer to 14 years on terror-associated accusations
(MENAFN) A Russian military court has sentenced writer Grigory Chkhartishvili, better known as Boris Akunin, to 14 years in prison in absentia, accusing him of promoting and supporting terrorist activities. Akunin, a renowned author of historical fiction, has lived outside Russia since 2014 and has been openly critical of the Russian government following the escalation of the conflict with Ukraine.
In January 2024, Russian authorities labeled him a foreign agent. The court also fined him 400,000 rubles (around $5,000). Prosecutors claimed that since 2023, Akunin publicly called for the violent overthrow of the Russian government. In February 2024, he expressed on Telegram that he no longer believed in peaceful reform in Russia and endorsed revolution.
In a December 2023 prank call with Russian pranksters Vovan and Lexus, Akunin reportedly said he was ready to support Ukraine. Responding to the sentencing, Akunin dismissed the court’s legitimacy, calling the trial a sham.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov defended Russia’s strict media controls, describing the situation as unprecedented military censorship due to the ongoing information war.
Russian officials also accused Akunin of violating the country’s foreign agent law, which requires individuals designated as such to clearly label their content, submit financial reports, and disclose funding sources. Noncompliance with these rules can lead to up to two years in prison. The foreign agent law, enacted in 2012, targets those engaged in political or financial activities on behalf of foreign states.
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