Galina Timchenko
Galina Timchenko, born 1962, Moscow. Charges: Article 284.1 part 3, Russian Criminal Code (Organization of the activities of an undesirable organization); “Galina Timchenko's case of activities of an "undesirable" organization”. Sentence (December 26, 2025): 5 years' imprisonment in a general regime penal colony in absentia, and a 5 years' ban on holding leadership positions. Status: not in Russia.
In brief
Moscow · Moscow · Journalists · Cases against "foreign agents"
Sentence
5 years
imprisonment in a general regime penal colony in absentia, and a 5 years' ban on holding leadership positions
Upheld March 11, 2026
Charges
- Article 284.1 part 3, Russian Criminal Code — Organization of the activities of an undesirable organization
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, in September 2024 and March 2025, she published videos on the Internet to form protest sentiments among citizens and involve them in the activities of an "undesirable" organisation, "feeling hatred and disdain for the state structure of the country" and "the internal and foreign policy of the current government". She participated "in the creation of at least three videos": a DW interview in which she "expresses her disagreement and criticises the state structure of Russia", a TV2media interview and an appeal to Meduza readers in which she "asks for help, including financial assistance".
Latest event
March 11, 2026 — appeal
The court issued a ruling.
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 5 years
· Preventive measure: arrest in absentia
· Persecution begins
Galina Timchenko's case of activities of an "undesirable" organization
· Added to the register of “foreign agents”
Criminal case
Galina Timchenko's case of activities of an "undesirable" organization
- Case number
- 01-0965/2025
Details and sources
Full summary
Journalist, co-founder of Meduza, former editor-in-chief of Lenta.ru. Left Russia.
On 20 May 2025, the Moscow Department of the Investigative Committee of the Investigative Committee reported that a criminal case had been opened against Timchenko for organising the activities of an "undesirable" organisation. The press release does not specify which organisation. It probably refers to Meduza, which was declared "undesirable" in 2023.
On 19 June 2024, the Cheremushkinsky District Court of Moscow fined her 14,000 rubles (US$180) under an administrative protocol for participation in the activities of an "undesirable" organisation because of her participation in the What Happened podcast by Meduza.
On 30 August 2024, she was included in the register of foreign agents. On 10 March 2025, the court fined Timchenko under the administrative article on failure to report herself as a "foreign agent" (the amount of the fine is hidden in the published decision).
On 9 July 2025, the court arrested Timchenko in absentia. On 26 December, she was sentenced in absentia to five years in a general regime colony.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- arrest in absentia
Other people prosecuted under Article 284.1 part 3, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.