Novelist Fooled by Prank Call from Pro-Russian YouTuber, Russian Government "Designates as Terrorist"

Georgian-born Mystery Novelist Boris Akunin
Deceived by YouTubers into Expressing Support for Ukraine
Under Terrorism Investigation... "Still, Dawn Will Come"

A popular Russian novelist who expressed support for Ukraine after being tricked by pro-government YouTubers' prank calls has been designated as a terrorist and is now under investigation by authorities.

On the 18th (local time), the Russian government added Grigory Chkhartishvili, a mystery novelist famous under the pen name 'Boris Akunin,' to the 'extremists and terrorists' registry, according to reports by AP News and others. The Russian financial watchdog, Rosfinmonitoring, is also said to have added him to the list of 'extremists and terrorists.'

Tricked by pro-government YouTubers, expressed 'support for Ukraine'

Detective novelist Grigory Chkhartishvili, famous under the pen name 'Boris Akunin.'
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February last year, a law was enacted that imposes up to 15 years imprisonment for defaming the Russian military or leaking false information about the military. Under this law, Akunin is being investigated by the Russian Federal Investigative Committee on charges of justifying terrorist acts and spreading false information related to the Russian military.

His designation as a terrorist was due to prank calls made by pro-Russian YouTubers 'Bovan' and 'Lexus.' They are known for impersonating others and asking about international affairs to various world leaders, and in Akunin's case, they called him pretending to be a Ukrainian official.

Akunin, widely known as a dissident, expressed support for Ukraine during the call, revealing that he had raised donations for Ukraine. After the YouTubers released the call content, last week Russia's major publisher AST suspended sales of Akunin's books.

"Terrorists declared me a terrorist"

Currently residing in London, UK, Akunin stated, "Terrorists declared me a terrorist." He also said, "The ban on publishing and designating some writers as terrorists may seem trivial, but in reality, it is an important milestone."

He continued, "Since the Soviet era, no books have been banned in Russia, nor have writers been prosecuted on terrorism charges. This is not a bad dream. It is actually happening in Russia. If you are in Russia, be careful and do not lose your way. If you are abroad, do not return. The night will grow darker, but eventually, dawn will come."

Notorious 'Bovan and Lexus'... Even Macron and Merkel were fooled

They have fooled many figures. Last month, Giorgia Meloni, Italy's Prime Minister, was tricked by calls impersonating African leaders and revealed her fatigue with the Ukraine war. Others reportedly fooled include French President Emmanuel Macron, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

There have been suspicions that these pranksters receive phone numbers of various prime ministers and presidents with the cooperation of Russian security agencies. They previously stated, "It is legal for someone to help us. What is wrong with being patriotic?"