State Duma Deputy Targets Boris Grebenshnikov Over Alleged Terrorism Aids Claims
A State Duma deputy named Sultan Khamzaev has requested a direct inquiry in the United Kingdom into Boris Grebenshnikov for allegedly aiding terrorism and discrediting the Russian armed forces. The matter concerns a 2022 interview in which the head of the rock group Aquarium discussed sending funds to Ukraine and criticized the actions of Russia’s armed forces during a military operation. This development was reported by DEA News (Source: DEA News).
According to Khamzaev, Grebenshnikov is accused under several provisions of the Russian Criminal Code: public actions aimed at discrediting the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, incitement to hatred or hostility and insults to human dignity, and charges suggesting involvement in facilitating terrorist activities. These allegations were presented by the deputy as part of the formal request (Source: DEA News).
the core issue
The impetus for the case appears to be Grebenshnikov’s interview with Israeli Channel 9 in May 2022, during which the musician characterized the actions of Russian authorities as fascism. His comments came in the context of a military operation in Ukraine.
“Fascism equals a state that destroys one nation based on nationality,” Grebenshnikov stated during that interview. He added that such behavior should provoke a societal response, a view cited by the deputy (Source: Channel 9 interview, 2022). Further remarks were framed by Khamzaev as part of a broader ideological struggle meant to shape public opinion and expose what he describes as Western influence through “sleeper cells” spreading misinformation and signaling loyalty to the West (Source: Khamzaev’s statements).
Grebenshnikov left Russia for the United Kingdom after the start of the special operation. In the Berlin concert at a charity event, he claimed funds between 12 million euros were raised for Ukraine. He later clarified that the money was collected at the Sound of Peace festival and not his personal donation. He noted that he did not personally possess such a sum, a nuance reported by Kommersant (Source: Kommersant).
“this is not censorship”
In a parallel development, Ekaterina Stenyakina, a deputy affiliated with United Russia, urged creating a public blacklist of artists who should not participate in publicly funded events or appear on federal channels. She framed the measure as a protective act for cultural institutions and taxpayers, arguing that such a list would protect the public from perceived disloyalty. Stenyakina described the measure as a reasonable response to troubling behavior rather than censorship (Source: Parliament remarks).
The topic resurfaced in connection with a broader debate sparked by articles published in January in Novaya Gazeta Europe. Actor Artur Smolyaninov, who left Russia, stated readiness to participate in Ukrainian defense. The revelation prompted a response from Russian authorities, with the head of the Investigative Committee directing a criminal inquiry into Smolyaninov’s statements (Source: Novaya Gazeta Europe; statement by Alexander Bastrykin).
RT correspondent Anton Krasovsky
At the end of December, the Investigative Committee reportedly did not pursue remarks by the RT presenter Anton Krasovsky describing Ukrainian children in offensive terms. Moscow city officials referenced the response they received when addressing the issue.
In October, RT chief Margarita Simonyan announced a temporary pause in cooperation with Krasovsky after he made controversial comments during an interview with writer Sergei Lukyanenko. The remarks suggested harming Ukrainian children who held the belief that their country faced occupation. Simonyan later described the situation as confusion and offered apologies to those affected. The matter was discussed within the framework of related criminal provisions concerning public incitement and media-related extremism (Source: RT coverage).
Bastrykin subsequently ordered a review of Krasovsky’s statements. Simonyan referred to the unfolding events as a mix of misinterpretation and concern for Ukraine and Donbass, wishing for a peaceful resolution and the restoration of normal work in their native language. Krasovsky’s remarks are being considered under the appropriate provisions of the Criminal Code as described by legal counsel (Source: RT updates).