The Moscow Tagansky Court is set to review the protocol concerning alleged violations of foreign agent rules in relation to the writer Boris Akunin, whose real name is Grigory Chkhartishvili. He has been recognized in the Russian Federation as a foreign agent, a designation that prompted the court to schedule and publish a hearing date on August 16. The court’s website confirms the proceedings are moving forward in this matter and that a formal review of administrative charges is forthcoming.
According to the docket, the contact person on the case is Grigory Chkhartishvili G.S. The relevant administrative article cited in the proceeding is Article 19.34, Part 5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. The institution’s public notice indicates a hearing for 08/16/2024 at 10:30, Moscow time, aligning with the court calendar and public announcements available through socialbites and similar outlets of record for procedural updates.
Albina Timakova has been identified as the judge appointed to oversee the case, reflecting the court’s procedural assignments for this matter. The charges allege the distribution of internet materials without proper foreign agent labeling, with potential penalties that could include a fine of up to 30 thousand rubles should the court determine guilt in the administrative process.
Earlier, in December of the previous year, Akunin was recorded in the registry as an extremist and terrorist-related figure by some authorities. Subsequently, a publishing house issued works by the author for examination, and the Russian Academic Youth Theatre temporarily halted performances based on the writer’s books following stated explanations. These steps illustrate the broader context in which the case has unfolded, including administrative classifications and reputational considerations that influence subsequent legal actions.
In January of this year, the Ministry of Justice in Russia formally accepted Boris Akunin into the foreign agent registry, a designation that has shaped both public discourse and the legal trajectory surrounding his publications and public appearances. Earlier discussions in the State Duma touched on proposed measures aimed at restricting access to books associated with foreign agents, signaling ongoing legislative attention to how such materials are disseminated and perceived in society.