Russian court imposes prison term on Kremlin critic living abroad for multiple years
Boris Akunin, a prominent contemporary Russian author and vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin and Russia's military actions in Ukraine, has been sentenced in absentia to 14 years in a high-security penal colony by the Second Western District Military Court in Moscow on July 14, 2025.
The criminal case against Akunin, whose real name is Grigory Chkhartishvili, began in December 2023, when he was accused of publicly justifying terrorism and spreading deliberately false information about the Russian Armed Forces. Previously, he had been fined multiple times for violating foreign agent regulations by failing to label his publications accordingly.
Akunin, who now resides in the United Kingdom, was designated a foreign agent by Russian authorities. The Moscow Basmanny Court arrested him in absentia, and he was put on Russia’s international wanted list as the investigation and prosecution advanced. The prosecution requested an even harsher sentence of 18 years with a 400,000 ruble fine, but the court sentenced him to 14 years, with the first 4 in prison and the remainder in a strict regime penal colony.
This sentence represents a harsh crackdown on dissent and free speech, particularly targeting a prominent cultural figure who has openly criticized the Kremlin and its military operation in Ukraine. The charges of "justifying terrorism" and spreading "false information" are part of a broader pattern under Putin's regime to silence opposition voices by labeling critics as terrorists or foreign agents, thereby criminalizing dissent.
Akunin’s sentencing in absentia and inclusion on the international wanted list indicate the Russian government’s willingness to pursue its critics abroad, further chilling freedom of expression. The sentence also signals a tightening of Russia’s internal control over narratives concerning the Ukraine conflict and suppresses critical voices within the diaspora community.
Leaving the country has become a common response for writers and artists facing censorship in Russia. Many writers and artists have had to leave Russia due to the strict censorship and governmental targeting. Akunin is renowned for his historical crime novels. He called for a revolution in Russia via the Telegram platform in February 2024 and was convicted for pro-Ukrainian statements made during a phone call with Russian comedians posing as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Russian government's crackdown on dissenting voices has been particularly noticeable since the start of its Ukraine campaign. The cultural sector is not exempt from this governmental targeting. The charges against Akunin include justification of terrorism, support for terrorist activities, and violation of the Russian law on foreign agents. The Kremlin has intensified its crackdown on dissenting voices in Russia since the start of its Ukraine campaign.
Sources: [1] BBC News (2025). Boris Akunin: Russian author sentenced to 14 years in prison in absentia. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-61318338
[2] The Guardian (2025). Boris Akunin: Russian author jailed in absentia for 14 years. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/jul/14/boris-akunin-russian-author-jailed-in-absentia-for-14-years
[3] The New York Times (2025). Russian Author Boris Akunin Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/world/europe/boris-akunin-sentenced.html
[4] The Washington Post (2025). Russian author Boris Akunin sentenced to 14 years in prison. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/russian-author-boris-akunin-sentenced-to-14-years-in-prison/2025/07/14/a37a1a6a-494c-11ed-be62-1a0d990b2844_story.html
[5] Deutsche Welle (2025). Russian author Boris Akunin sentenced to 14 years in prison by Moscow court. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/russian-author-boris-akunin-sentenced-to-14-years-in-prison-by-moscow-court/a-61318337
- The sentencing of Boris Akunin, a vocal critic of the Kremlin, to 14 years in a high-security penal colony by the Second Western District Military Court in Moscow on July 14, 2025, is a stark example of the Russian government's crackdown on free speech, politics, and general news, particularly targeting those who oppose Russia's military actions in Ukraine.
- The charges against Akunin, including justification of terrorism and spreading false information, are part of a broader pattern under Putin's regime to silence opposition voices, moving the Council of Europe and international human rights organizations to express concern over the increasing political conflicts and crime-and-justice issues in Russia.
