The 2nd Western District Military Court has convicted author Boris Akunin (born Grigory Chkhartishvili) in absentia to 14 years in a maximum-security prison, according to Mediazona.
Akunin faced convictions on three criminal counts: inciting terrorist acts, endorsing terrorism, and failing to comply with "foreign agent" obligations.
Prosecutors had initially sought an 18-year prison term along with a 400,000-ruble fine and a five-year ban on managing online content post-release.
Regarding the terrorism incitement charge, authorities cited Akunin’s conversation with pranksters Vovan and Lexus, where he allegedly encouraged Russian soldiers to defect to Ukraine and described the Ukrainian military’s strike on the Crimean Bridge as an effective way to "clearly and directly" demonstrate reality to "foolish people."
The terrorism justification charge stems from a Telegram post where Akunin reportedly advocated revolution as the only means to overthrow dictatorship. The third charge relates to publishing at least 33 Telegram posts without the mandatory "foreign agent" disclaimer.
Akunin has publicly dismissed the proceedings, stating on social media: "I do not acknowledge their trial. No lawyer represents me in this farcical court, and I have no involvement in this spectacle."
In December 2023, Russia’s financial watchdog added Akunin to its terrorist/extremist registry, followed by his designation as a "foreign agent" by the Justice Ministry in January 2024.
Updated 16:18 Moscow time with sentencing details.