The Russian occupation authorities have opened a case against Zhadan for “financing terrorism”

The occupation authorities in Kharkiv Oblast have opened a case against Ukrainian writer, translator, public figure, and soldier of the “Khartia” brigade, Serhiy Zhadan. They accused him – widely regarded as Ukraine’s most prominent contemporary writer – of being the “ideological inspirer of an illegal armed group.”

Among the charges brought against the writer are: 

Violation of Article 205.1 Part 1.1 of the Russian Criminal Code (financing terrorism); 

Violation of Article 208 Part 2 (participation in an illegal armed group); 

Violation of Article 280.3 (public actions aimed at discrediting the Russian armed forces); 

Violation of Article 281.1 Part 1 (financing sabotage activities). 

“During the investigation, it was established that the suspect, Zhadan, in March 2024, driven by radical nationalist beliefs, expressed a desire to join the so-called 13th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine ‘Khartia’ at the invitation of its leader, Vsevolod Kozhemiaka, who was previously declared wanted for crimes under the Russian Criminal Code. As part of this collaboration, Zhadan founded the Ukrainian information and music online radio station ‘Radio Khartia’ on the basis of the mentioned armed group. In implementing this propaganda project, the suspect has systematically carried out public actions aimed at discrediting the Russian armed forces,” read a statement from the occupation authorities. 

Additionally, as part of their “investigative actions,” the occupiers claim to have found that the writer had been organizing charitable fundraisers for the Ukrainian army and “openly shares information about these illegal activities on his social media accounts.” Zhadan has now been declared wanted, and for these alleged “crimes,” he faces a potential sentence of up to life imprisonment if he’s ever captured.

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Copy editing: Ben Angel, Joy Tataryn