Russian writer Grigori Chkhartishvili, who uses the pen name Boris Akunin, has found himself at the centre of a growing controversy as Russian authorities intensify their campaign against him. Chkhartishvili has been added to Rosfinmonitoring’s list of “terrorists and extremists” and faces an unfounded criminal case, accusing him of spreading disinformation about the Russian Armed Forces and reportedly endorsing acts of terrorism.

Targeting of renowned Russian writer: Boris Akunin under fire

The controversy surrounding the 67-year-old began on December 18, 2023, when Russia’s Investigative Committee announced the initiation of a criminal case against him, despite his residence outside of Russia since 2014. The charges include “justifying terrorism” under Article 205.2 of the Criminal Code and “disseminating knowingly false information about the Armed Forces” under Article 207.3. In a concerning move, Rosfinmonitoring, Russia’s financial regulator, included Chkhartishvili on its terror list just a day before the criminal case was announced.

Read: Book bans and literary censorship: how US is following in footsteps of Russia

The repercussions of these charges were swift and far-reaching. Moscow’s largest bookstores removed his books from their shelves, and major online stores, such as Wildberries and Litres e-bookstore, almost entirely removed his works from their platforms. Furthermore, the Moscow Gubernsky Theatre ceased performing Akunin’s “The Adventures of Fandorin,” a play based on his series of adventure novels.

The situation escalated further on December 19, when law enforcement agents conducted a raid on the Zakharov publishing house, which holds publishing rights to many of the historical detective novelist’s books. All editions held at the premises were confiscated during the operation. Irina Bogat, the publishing house’s director, commented, “Obviously, this is due to the fact that we are the only ones who did not withdraw Akunin’s books from sale.”

Boris Akunin: anti-Putin sentiments

The Georgia-born author has been vocal about his criticism of President Vladimir Putin and his role in the Ukraine war. Following the move, he wrote on Facebook, “Terrorists have declared me a terrorist. However, I have not been surprised by news from Russia for a long time.”

He later added: “The Investigative Committee came to the Zakharov publishing house, which produced ‘The Adventures of Erast Fandorin’, with a search. I think this is just the beginning. I am sure they will come to other publishers that published my books.”

Writing on his website, he said: “A seemingly minor event, the banning of books, the declaration of some writer as a terrorist, is in fact an important milestone. Books have not been banned in Russia since Soviet times. Writers haven’t been accused of terrorism since the Great Terror. This is not a bad dream, this is happening to Russia in reality, in fact.”

Unfounded criminal case sparks swift backlash

Marie Struthers, Amnesty International‘s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, strongly condemned the actions taken against Akunin, highlighting the unjust nature of the charges and the broader implications for freedom of expression in Russia. She said, “The Russian authorities’ ongoing persecution of Boris Akunin and this unfounded criminal case exemplifies their sheer vindictiveness against anyone who dares to express dissent. In a matter of days, his books were withdrawn from sale, a play based on his work was removed from a theatre, and the police raided the only publishing house that continued to collaborate with him.”

Struthers went on to express concern about the wider crackdown on cultural figures who oppose Russia’s actions, saying, “All this is in reprisal for Boris Akunin’s vocal opposition to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and he is not the only victim of such campaigns. Many others, including artists, performers, musicians, and filmmakers have found themselves persecuted and isolated from Russian cultural life simply due to their opposition to the war. These shameful charges must be dropped immediately, and the campaign to denigrate and persecute cultural figures who oppose the war must be stopped.”

As the international community watches with concern, Chkhartishvili’s case continues to be a symbol of the challenges faced by those who speak out against the Russian government’s actions. Amnesty International and other human rights organisations are calling for an end to the persecution of cultural figures who express dissenting opinions and for the immediate dropping of the charges against Akunin.