Russian Court Sentences Author Boris Akunin to 14 Years in Absentia for Criticizing Putin, Supporting Ukraine

 

Russian Court Sentences Author Boris Akunin to 14 Years in Absentia for Criticizing Putin, Supporting Ukraine

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Russian writer Boris Akunin has been sentenced to 14 years in prison in absentia after voicing support for Ukraine and calling for revolution in Russia. Learn why the Kremlin targeted one of its most famous authors.

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Boris Akunin Receives 14-Year Sentence from Russian Court Over Ukraine Support

In a significant move reflecting the Kremlin’s intensifying crackdown on dissent, a Russian military court has sentenced exiled author Boris Akunin to 14 years in prison in absentia. The ruling comes after Akunin publicly criticized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and expressed support for political change in his home country.

The sentence was handed down by the Second Western District Military Court in Moscow on Monday, July 14, 2025, according to Mediazona and international news outlets.

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Why Was Boris Akunin Sentenced?

The charges against Akunin, aged 69, include:

• Justifying terrorism — based on a 2024 Telegram post where he expressed support for a "revolution" in Russia.

• Aiding terrorist activity — after voicing pro-Ukraine sentiments during a phone call with Russian pranksters pretending to be Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

• Violating Russia's foreign agent laws, which have increasingly been used to silence critics and journalists.

Akunin condemned the trial as a "farce", calling the accusations politically motivated and an attack on freedom of speech.

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Who Is Boris Akunin?

Born in Georgia, Boris Akunin (real name: Grigory Chkhartishvili) is one of Russia’s best-known modern writers, famous for his historical detective novels. His books have sold millions of copies globally and have been translated into numerous languages.

Akunin left Russia in 2014 and has lived abroad ever since. He has remained an outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin and Russia’s war in Ukraine.

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Kremlin's Ongoing Crackdown on Critics

This sentencing is part of a broader trend of harsh penalties against public figures who speak out against the government or the Ukraine invasion.

In recent years, Russian lawmakers made it a criminal offense to “discredit” the military, with thousands arrested for protests, social media posts, and public statements.

Many artists, writers, and journalists have fled the country since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, while those who stayed face tight censorship and surveillance.

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International Outcry and Free Speech Concerns

The sentencing of a renowned author like Akunin has raised fresh concerns among human rights organizations, free speech advocates, and international observers. It’s seen as a symbolic warning to other Russian intellectuals and public figures who may be tempted to speak out.

Despite exile and legal threats, Akunin continues to publish and engage with his readers around the world, especially through digital platforms.

Russian author jailed for Ukraine support

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