Designated a 'Foreign Agent' by Russian Ministry of Justice (high) Russian Ministry of Justice designated Boris Akunin (Grigory Chkhartishvili) as a 'foreign agent', a status requiring public labelling of publications and imposing heavy financial reporting and compliance obligations. This designation is reported in multiple sources (Wikipedia summary and news snippets).. Added to Rosfinmonitoring 'terrorists and extremists' list (critical) Rosfinmonitoring (the Russian financial watchdog) added Boris Akunin to its list of 'terrorists and extremists' (state list). The Wikipedia summary and news reporting state he was put on that list in December 2023, a designation with potential for severe financial sanctions and asset restrictions.. Criminal case opened by Russian authorities (charges include 'justifying terrorism' and 'discrediting the Russian army') (critical) Russia's Investigative Committee announced the initiation of a criminal case against Boris Akunin. Reported charges include publicly 'justifying terrorism', alleged 'facilitation' of terrorist activity (linked to a recorded phone call), and 'discrediting' the Russian armed forces under wartime censorship laws. This action was publicly reported in December 2023 and in subsequent coverage.. Arrest warrant / ordered detention in absentia by Russian courts (critical) A Moscow court issued an arrest warrant and ordered Akunin's arrest in absentia; reports state he was arrested (in absentia) by Moscow courts and that the Interior Ministry placed his name on a wanted list. Specific reported actions: arrest warrant in absentia (reported Feb 6, 2024) and Moscow court ordered arrest in absentia (Feb 2024).. Sentenced in absentia to 14 years in prison by Moscow military court (critical) A Moscow military court sentenced Boris Akunin in absentia to 14 years' imprisonment after finding him guilty of 'aiding and justifying terrorism' and violating the 'foreign agent' laws. Reporting (e.g., The Moscow Times / Mediazona / other news sources summarized in the research) indicates sentencing occurred on July 14, 2025, including fines and a multi-year ban on operating websites (four years). Akunin has stated he did not participate and does not recognize the proceedings.. Reported freezing of spouse's bank assets by Russian authorities (high) Media snippets report that Russian authorities froze more than (unspecified amount) of bank assets belonging to Boris Akunin's wife. The item was publicly reported (snippet dated Feb 27, 2024) indicating immediate financial impact to family and potential secondary financial targeting.. Publishers/booksellers ceased distribution; publisher under investigation (high) Following recordings and public statements, many Russian booksellers and publishers (including AST) stopped publishing and distributing Akunin's works. Zakharov Books — a publisher that continued distributing Akunin's books — came under investigation by the Russian Investigative Committee. Reporting and the Wikipedia summary note these distribution suspensions and the subsequent investigation of Zakharov Books.. Online library of Boris Akunin blocked in Russia (medium) In June 2024, the online library of Boris Akunin was blocked in Russia due to the library's distribution of Vladimir Sorokin's book 'The Heritage' (Naslediye). The block represents a government-enforced restriction on digital distribution of his works inside Russia.