Russian Authorities Charge Meduzas Founder over Undesirable Organization Activities

Russian authorities initiated a criminal case on Tuesday against Galina Timchenko, the founder and publisher of the exiled news outlet Meduza, accusing her of organizing the activities of an «undesirable» organization.

In a statement, the Moscow Investigative Committee claimed that Timchenko shared online videos that incited public protests and engaged individuals in the activities of an «undesirable» organization.

The Investigative Committee also indicated that it is contemplating placing Timchenko on the country’s wanted list.

At 64 years old, Timchenko previously held the position of editor-in-chief at the Lenta.ru news website until her dismissal in 2014 by its owner with ties to the Kremlin. After leaving, she and several former Lenta.ru colleagues moved to Latvia, where they launched Meduza, which was classified as a «foreign agent» in 2021.

In 2023, Russian prosecutors designated Meduza as an «undesirable» organization, prohibiting its operations within the country and criminalizing any connections to it.

The Justice Ministry labeled Timchenko as a «foreign agent» the following year, accusing her of opposing the country’s «special military operation» in Ukraine and disseminating «misleading information aimed at creating a negative perception of the Russian armed forces.»

In June 2024, a Moscow court imposed a 14,000-ruble ($175) administrative fine on Timchenko for her involvement with an «undesirable organization.»

Data gathered by the exiled Mediazona news outlet reveals that more than 130 fines have been issued by Russian courts related to participation with media entities designated as «undesirable.» Of these cases, fifty-four directly involve Meduza or reference it by name.