Dmitrii Bykov
Dmitrii Bykov, born 1967, Moscow. Charges: Article 207.3 part 2 item d, Russian Criminal Code (Dissemination of false information about the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government…); Article 330.1 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Violation of the procedure for activities of a foreign agent, committed by a person after being…); “Dmitry Bykov's case about "fake news" about the Russian Armed Forces and evasion from performing his duties as a "foreign agent"”. Sentence (October 1, 2025): 7 years' imprisonment in a general regime penal colony in absentia, a fine of 300,000 rubles, and a ban on website… Status: not in Russia.
In brief
Moscow · Moscow · Artists · Anti-war cases, Cases against "foreign agents"
Sentence
7 years
imprisonment in a general regime penal colony in absentia, a fine of 300,000 rubles, and a ban on website administration for five years.
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 207.3 part 2 item d, Russian Criminal Code — Dissemination of false information about the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government agencies, or mercenaries (based on political, ideological, racial, national or religious hatred or enmity, or on grounds of hatred or enmity in relation to any social group)
- Article 330.1 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Violation of the procedure for activities of a foreign agent, committed by a person after being persecuted for an administrative offence
Latest event
October 1, 2025 — first-instance verdict
The court issued a ruling.
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
7 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: arrest in absentia
· Persecution begins
Dmitry Bykov's case about "fake news" about the Russian Armed Forces and evasion from performing his duties as a "foreign agent"
· Added to the register of “foreign agents”
Criminal case
Dmitry Bykov's case about "fake news" about the Russian Armed Forces and evasion from performing his duties as a "foreign agent"
- Case number
- 01-0815/2025
Thematic group: Anti-war case
Details and sources
Full summary
Writer, publicist. In July 2022, he was included in the register of "foreign agents". In April 2025, the Investigative Committee reported that a case was opened against Bykov for dissemination of deliberately false information about the RF Armed Forces and evasion of duties as a "foreign agent".
On 1 October 2025, the court sentenced him in absentia to seven years in a general regime colony and a fine of 300 thousand rubles.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- arrest in absentia
Other people prosecuted under Article 207.3 part 2 item d, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.