In a significant judicial move, Russian authorities have sentenced journalist Yekaterina Kotrikadze and businessman Yevgeny Chichvarkin to several years in prison in absentia for disseminating information deemed as "fakes" about Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Kotrikadze, who serves as news director for the exiled broadcaster TV Rain, was charged with posting accusations of war crimes committed by Russian military forces on her personal social media in 2022. Chichvarkin, the owner of a Michelin-starred restaurant in London, faced similar charges, linked to a statement he shared via social media from the Russian Anti-War Committee in August 2024.

Witness testimonies during the trials revealed that both defendants allegedly caused emotional distress among those who viewed their posts. While one witness expressed their patriotic stance to counter Chichvarkin’s claims, the situation highlights an increasing climate of repression for those who speak against the Russian government regarding its military actions. The Kremlin's crackdown on dissenting voices, especially those who criticize its invasion of Ukraine, signals a broader attempt to control narratives and silence opposition.

The sentences reflect a worrying trend where exiled individuals are persecuted under laws enacted amid Russia's aggressive stance toward freedom of speech. With Kotrikadze and Chichvarkin living outside Russia, their convictions illustrate the lengths to which the Russian government will go to enforce its narrative and punish those who disagree with its actions, further isolating dissenting voices in the media and business sectors.