A Russian journalist has been sentenced in absentia to 10 years in prison for mentioning Russia’s occupation of 20% of Georgia, report independent Russian media.
The Tagansky District Court in Moscow handed down the sentence to Valeria Kichigina, a journalist with the independent broadcaster “Dozhd” (TV Rain), on charges of spreading so-called “fake news about the war” under Russia’s controversial legislation targeting dissent.
Based on the available information, this marks the first known case in Russia where such charges are linked not to criticism of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but to statements concerning the 2008 Russia–Georgia war.
The case stems from a post Kichigina published on Instagram, in which she referred to the August 2008 conflict and Russia’s continued military presence in Georgia’s occupied territories.
“Today marks the anniversary of the five-day war in Georgia. On the night of August 7–8, Russian military forces entered the country and bombed peaceful cities. For 15 years now, 20% of Georgia has been occupied by Russia,” she wrote.
Kichigina has stated that the reference to Georgia was used as a formal pretext for the charges against her. According to the journalist, the real reason for her prosecution is her reporting on the so-called “Baymak case,” a sensitive issue that has drawn attention in Russia.
In recent years, Russian authorities have intensified the use of “fake news” laws to prosecute journalists, activists, and critics of the government, particularly in relation to coverage of military actions and politically sensitive topics.
