Russian prosecutors seek 18-year sentence for exiled writer Boris Akunin

Russian prosecutors are demanding an 18-year prison sentence for exiled novelist Boris Akunin, born Grigory Chkhartishvili, on charges including “justifying terrorism," "facilitating terrorist activity," and violating the country’s "foreign agent" laws.

Akunin, a well-known Kremlin critic who has lived abroad since 2014, was added to Russia’s list of “terrorists and extremists” in January 2024 shortly after being labelled a “foreign agent” and having an arrest warrant issued against him, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

The prosecution alleges Akunin justified terrorism in a February 2024 Telegram post supporting a “revolution” in Russia, according to the exiled news outlet Mediazona. He is also accused of “facilitating” terrorism during a phone call with pro-Kremlin pranksters Vovan and Lexus, who impersonated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko. In the call, Akunin expressed support for Ukraine.

Additionally, authorities claim Akunin failed to add the legally required “foreign agent” disclaimer to dozens of Telegram posts published in early 2025.

At a hearing in Moscow’s Second Western District Military Court on July 14, only one prosecution witness appeared. A court-appointed attorney stated that Akunin pleaded not guilty. However, the writer rejected the legitimacy of the proceedings and denied authorising any lawyer to represent him.

Prosecutors also requested a 400,000 ruble ($5,100) fine and a five-year ban on operating websites after his release. Sentences issued in absentia are usually enforced only if the defendant is extradited to Russia. A sentencing date has not been set.

Akunin has been an outspoken critic of the Kremlin, opposing Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He co-founded “True Russia,” a platform supporting Ukrainian refugees and anti-war Russians in exile.

By Sabina Mammadli