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Moscow’s Khoroshevsky District Court fined rock musician Boris Grebenshchikov 15,000 rubles under Article 20.33, which addresses participation in the activities of an “undesirable organization.” The reported basis was an interview released in April 2026 by Meduza’s podcast “What Happened”; the available report does not provide the court’s full reasoning or say whether Grebenshchikov plans to appeal.
Moscow’s Khoroshevsky District Court fined rock musician Boris Grebenshchikov 15,000 rubles for what it classified as participation in the activities of an “undesirable organization,” according to a report by Meduza. The alleged offense was an interview for Meduza’s podcast “What Happened,” released in April 2026, linking the penalty to Russia’s restrictions on the outlet.
Ostorozhno, Novosti reported that the interview was the basis for the case. The court fined Grebenshchikov under Article 20.33 of Russia’s Code of Administrative Offenses, which covers participation in the activities of an organization designated undesirable. The reported penalty was 15,000 rubles.
Meduza reported the court decision on October 7, 2026. The available account does not quote the ruling, set out the court’s full reasoning, or specify what part of the interview authorities treated as participation in the outlet’s activities. It also does not state whether Grebenshchikov or a representative commented on the fine.
Grebenshchikov has lived outside Russia for several years, according to Meduza. The report places this case alongside earlier administrative penalties against him: a 50,000-ruble fine in 2023 for “discrediting” the army and a 40,000-ruble fine in October 2025 for violating rules governing the activities of a “foreign agent.”
A Fine Tied to Meduza Coverage
The ruling applies Russia’s undesirable-organization law to an interview with a media outlet designated undesirable. Meduza was designated an “undesirable organization” in January 2023, the outlet reported. The case shows how material published by such an organization can become the stated basis for administrative proceedings against people associated with its coverage.
The fine is a relatively small monetary penalty in isolation, but it adds to a series of administrative cases against Grebenshchikov, who has also been designated a “foreign agent” by Russia’s Justice Ministry. For readers, the development matters because it illustrates the potential legal consequences that Russian authorities attach to interactions with an outlet carrying an undesirable-organization designation. The specific facts and legal reasoning in this case, however, are not fully described in the report.
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Grebenshchikov’s Earlier Fines
In 2023, Russia’s Justice Ministry designated Grebenshchikov a “foreign agent.” That year, he was also fined 50,000 rubles for “discrediting” the army, according to Meduza. In October 2025, a separate court fine of 40,000 rubles concerned alleged violations of rules governing foreign agents.
The current case involves a different legal basis: Article 20.33 and Meduza’s status as an undesirable organization. Meduza says its staff and contributors have regularly been cited for participating in the activities of an undesirable organization since the January 2023 designation. The current report does not give further details about those other cases, so they do not establish the circumstances or outcome of Grebenshchikov’s case.
““Participating in the activities of an undesirable organization””
— Moscow’s Khoroshevsky District Court, as described by Meduza
Ruling Details Still Unreported
The available report does not include the full court decision, explain precisely how the interview met the legal definition of participation, or say whether the case concerns the interview itself, its publication, or another related action. Grebenshchikov’s response and any appeal plans are also not reported. The account identifies the court, statute and fine amount, but further details would be needed to clarify the court’s reasoning and the procedural status of the case.
Appeal Status and Further Details
The next developments to watch for are publication of additional information about the ruling and any response or appeal from Grebenshchikov. No appeal or hearing schedule is identified in the report. Until more details emerge, the confirmed account is limited to the court, the 15,000-ruble penalty, the Article 20.33 classification and the reported link to the April 2026 podcast interview.
Key Questions
How much was Boris Grebenshchikov fined?
The Khoroshevsky District Court fined him 15,000 rubles, according to Meduza’s report.
Why did the court fine him?
The court reportedly fined Grebenshchikov under Article 20.33 for participation in the activities of an “undesirable organization.” Ostorozhno, Novosti reported that the alleged offense was an interview for Meduza’s “What Happened” podcast.
When was the interview released?
The interview was released in April 2026, according to the report.
Has Grebenshchikov said whether he will appeal?
The report does not include a comment from Grebenshchikov or state whether he plans to appeal. His response and the case’s appeal status are not known from the information available.
Source: rss
