On Tuesday, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced the filing of criminal charges against several notable exiled anti-war activists, including former oil magnate Mikhail Khodorkovsky. They are accused of establishing a “terrorist” organization and conspiring to topple the Russian government.
The charges are directed at members of the Russian Anti-War Committee, a group that was established abroad in February 2022, following Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine. In addition to Khodorkovsky, the committee includes prominent figures such as Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza, political analyst Ekaterina Schulmann, chess champion Garry Kasparov, and philanthropist Boris Zimin.
Moscow authorities allege that Khodorkovsky and the co-founders of the Anti-War Committee have been funding “terrorist Ukrainian paramilitary nationalist units” and recruiting individuals to aid in their objective of forcibly overthrowing the Russian leadership.
The FSB asserted that the Anti-War Committee has called for the “liquidation” of the Russian government and played a role in establishing a “Platform of Russian Democratic Forces” within the Council of Europe. Khodorkovsky has described this initiative as a “transitional assembly” that serves as an alternative government.
Khodorkovsky refuted the claims that the Anti-War Committee is financing Ukraine’s military efforts or attempting to seize power in Russia, commenting that the Kremlin views the situation regarding the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) as a significant challenge.
In January 2024, the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office labeled the Anti-War Committee as an “undesirable organization,” with many of its members classified as “foreign agents.”
The FSB mentioned that it is conducting “investigative actions” but did not elaborate further. All individuals involved in the case are currently residing outside of Russia.
Khodorkovsky, who is facing a separate charge of “publicly inciting terrorist activity,” along with the others, could potentially receive life sentences if found guilty and extradited under Russia’s anti-terrorism laws.
