Criminal Charges Filed Against Meduzas Founder Galina Timchenko by Russian Authorities

On Tuesday, Russian authorities filed criminal charges against Galina Timchenko, the founder and publisher of the exiled news outlet Meduza, alleging her role in managing the activities of an «undesirable» organization.

The Moscow branch of Russia’s Investigative Committee, which addresses significant crimes, claimed in a statement that Timchenko shared videos online that incited public protests and engaged individuals in the activities of an «undesirable» organization.

Investigators mentioned they were contemplating adding Timchenko to the nation’s wanted list.

At 64 years old, Timchenko was the editor-in-chief of the Lenta.ru news site until 2014, when she was removed by its owner with Kremlin ties. Afterward, she and a group of former Lenta.ru journalists moved to Latvia to launch Meduza, which was designated as a «foreign agent» in 2021.

In 2023, Russian prosecutors classified Meduza as an «undesirable» entity, prohibiting its operation within the country and criminalizing any affiliations with it.

The Justice Ministry labeled Timchenko a «foreign agent» the following year, accusing her of opposing the nation’s «special military operation» in Ukraine and disseminating «false information that seeks to create 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 participation in an «undesirable organization.»

Data compiled by the exiled Mediazona news site reveals that Russian courts have issued over 130 fines related to involvement with media outlets designated as «undesirable.» Of these administrative cases, 54 specifically involve Meduza or reference the publication by name.