On 14 July 2023, the Russian institution for the control of financial transactions, Rosfinmonitoring, added journalist Karen Shainyan to its list of “terrorists and extremists”, forbidding any financial transactions in Russia by the journalist. According to Russian independent media, this step indicates authorities have opened a criminal case for extremism against Shainyan, without however publishing any details related to this. The journalist also told Novaya Gazeta Europe that he does not know what he is being accused of.
A TV journalist, Karen Shainyan left Russia following the start of the country’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine. He moved to Germany, where he works for the OstWest television company, producing a regular program on the effects of the war. A recent issue of the program was dedicated to Russian soldiers who deserted from the front in Ukraine, and to the human rights organizations that help them escape.
UPDATE: On 18 August 2023, Russian independent media reported that Shainyan had been placed on the country’s ‘wanted’ list.
UPDATE: On 19 September 2024, Russian independent media reported that prosecutors in Shainyan’s case had asked for the journalist to be arrested in absentia.
UDPATE: On 18 April 2025, Russian independent media reported that Russian authorities had opened the criminal case against Shainyan due to the fact that he had allegedly wired 2000 rubles to Alexey Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Fund (FBK) in 2022.