DETAILS OF BORIS KAGARLITSKY'S CASE

Upon the decision of the Russian administration to invade Ukraine (in its terms, conduct a “Special Military Operation”) authoritarian and repressive tendencies intensify in Russian politics. Political repression does not become general, but active opposition politicians, creative workers and intellectuals are persecuted.

One of the instruments of persecution is assignment of the status of a foreign agent. The status of foreign agent is given to a citizen by the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation, no ruling by a court is required, and it is extremely difficult to challenge the assignment. Foreign agents do not have the right to teach minors (in fact, teachers with the status of a foreign agent are not allowed into universities, and the management of universities insists on the dismissal of such teachers). Foreign agents do not have the right to run for government positions. Currently, according to Russian law, no proof of foreign funding is required to justify assignation of this status.

In May 2022, the status of foreign agent is assigned to Boris Kagarlitsky for his dealings—absolutely legal under Russian law—with the Russian representative office of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation (an educational German foundation close to the Die Linke party).

On the same day, Kagarlitsky’s Moscow apartment and dacha are searched, he is arrested and transferred to Syktyvkar (capital of the Komi Republic, in the centre of the northern region of the European part of the Russian Federation). The grounds for his arrest—justification of terrorism—are based on a video posted on the Rabkor [Worker Correspondent] YouTube channel and titled “Explosive congratulations from the cat Mostik.” ¹

A municipal deputy from Ukhta (Komi Republic), Leonid Krasnoperov, sends a statement to the Prosecutor's office of the republic about the inadmissibility of Kagarlitsky's video mocking the blowing up of the Crimean Bridge, and the Prosecutor's office opens a case. The investigation considers the combination of the words “congratulations” and “explosive” to be an expression of a positive attitude towards the explosion on the part of the author, and since explosions are a common method of terrorist action, the title therefore contains a justification of terrorism. The prosecution is not interested in the content of the video.

Vladimir Putin responds that Russia is in a serious armed conflict with its neighbour Ukraine, and that the state is therefore forced to be harsh towards disloyal citizens. At the same time, the president emphasises that he is not familiar with the names of Berkovich and Kagarlitsky, as well as with their situation.

This listing imposes many restrictions on financial transactions, on the use of bank cards and bank accounts. On September 22, 2023, Kagarlitsky is recognised as a political prisoner by Russian human rights activists.

Desai emphasises that she and her colleagues do not share all of Kagarlitsky's views, but consider him a true patriot of Russia, an excellent scientist and humanist who does not accept terrorism in any form.⁴

Experts and observers state that the decision is motivated by concern to keep Kagarlitsky in detention until the presidential elections in the Russian Federation (March 2024).

The verdict surprises and delights everyone who knows Boris Kagarlitsky and are concerned for him: the bench imposes a fine of 609 000 rubles [= $6550], with immediate release from detention. Friends, colleagues and associates of Kagarlitsky—everyone who is interested in his work and activities—collect the required amount in the shortest possible time. In January 2024, Kagarlitsky pays the fine.

On March 1, Kagarlitsky is transferred to SIZO 12, in Zelenograd near Moscow. On April 17, he is transferred first to SIZO-3 in the city of Rzhev (Tver Region), then to SIZO-1 in the city of Tver. Finally, on May 11, Kagarlitsky arrives at the place appointed by the court for him to serve his sentence, Correctional Colony No. 4 in the city of Torzhok, Tver Region ⁷. See this footnote for exact periods spent in each centre. ⁸

On June 29, 2024, the media publish Kagarlitsky’s' statement that he had refused to submit a petition for pardon.

The appeal argues that the sentence is unlawfully harsh and completely inconsistent with the felony supposedly committed. The Supreme Court leaves the sentence unchanged.