Russia has recognized Boris Akunin, one of the country’s most popular novelists, as a foreign agent, the BBC reports, citing News.ro.

Boris Akunin was included by the Ministry of Justice of Russia in the register of “terrorists and extremists” because of his objection to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The 67-year-old author is known for his criticism of President Vladimir Putin.

Before the war, Akunin’s detective stories were bestsellers in Russia until the authorities banned his books.

The Ministry of Justice said that Akunin, whose real name is Hryhoriy Chhartishvili, “spoke against the military special operation in Ukraine.”

The agency added that Akunin “spread false information aimed at creating a negative image” of Russia and its military.

He also accused him of facilitating the collection of funds to support the Ukrainian army.

On the day Russia launched a massive invasion of Ukraine, Akunin wrote: “Russia is ruled by a mentally unbalanced dictator, and the worst thing is that he obediently follows his paranoia.”

In response to the Ministry of Justice’s message, Boris Akunin, who lives in London, wrote: “Terrorists declared me a terrorist.”

The “foreign agent” label, reminiscent of the Soviet-era term “enemies of the people,” requires so-called “foreign agents” to identify themselves as such on social media and other publications. It also imposes strict financial reporting requirements on them.

Many Russian cultural figures left the country after the start of Moscow’s military campaign against Ukraine. Those who remain face strict censorship.

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