Russian writer Boris Akunin designated a ‘foreign agent’ | EUROtoday

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One of Russia’s hottest novelists has been designated a overseas agent over his objections to the nation’s invasion of Ukraine.

Boris Akunin, who was as soon as a best-selling writer in Russia, has been added to a register of “terrorists and extremists” by the justice ministry.

Books by Mr Akunin, whose actual title is Grigori Chkhartishvili, had already been faraway from e-book cabinets after voicing his opposition to president Vladimir Putin.

In an announcement, the justice ministry mentioned that Mr Akunin had “opposed the special military operation in Ukraine” and accused him of serving to to boost funds to assist the Ukrainian army.

The ministry added that Mr Akunin had “disseminated false information aimed at creating a negative image” of Russia and its military.

Making mild of the announcement, he mentioned on social media: “They are writing that I have been declared a foreign agent today. Me, a terrorist and extremist?! I feel like Bin Laden who has been given a ticket for parking illegally.”

Mr Akunin, who lives in London, added: “Terrorists declared me a terrorist”.

On the day Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Mr Akunin wrote: “Russia is ruled by a psychologically deranged dictator and worst of all, it obediently follows his paranoia.”

The “foreign agent” label, which is paying homage to the time period “enemies of the people” of the Soviet period, and requires those that are branded “foreign agents” to establish themselves as such on social media and different publications. It additionally places burdensome monetary reporting necessities on them.

Many Russian cultural figures have fled the nation since Moscow started its army marketing campaign in opposition to Ukraine whereas those that stayed face strict censorship legal guidelines.