The former adviser to the head of Bashkortostan has been sentenced in absentia to 8 years in prison in a case concerning “fake news.”

The Kirovsky District Court of Ufa has sentenced Rostislav Murzagulov, former Chair of the Public Chamber of Bashkortostan, in absentia to eight years in a general regime penal colony in a case concerning “fake news” (point “d” part 2 article 207.3 of the Criminal Code) and violation of foreign agent activity regulations (part 2 article 330.1 of the Criminal Code). This was reported by the local Investigative Committee.

He has also been fined 250,000 rubles (about US$2,700) and banned from administering websites for four years.

According to the court, in March 2024, Murzagulov, while abroad, published a video containing “knowingly false information” about the actions of the Russian army. In addition, he allegedly posted materials without marking them with his “foreign agent” status.

Murzagulov previously held senior positions in the regional government, and after leaving Russia began working with Mikhail Khodorkovsky and hosted a political show on the YouTube channel “Open Media.”

In December 2022, the Ministry of Justice added Murzagulov to the list of “foreign agents.” In November 2022, Murzagulov filed a lawsuit against the Ministry of Justice for inaction: the former official demanded to be recognised as a “foreign agent.” In his statement of claim, he argued that the registry was “a list of honest and courageous people.” In September 2023, he was fined 30,000 rubles (about US$325) under the article on failure to submit a “foreign agent” report (part 2 article 19.34 of the Administrative Code); in August 2024, another protocol was drawn up against him under the same article.

In autumn 2024, the Ministry of Internal Affairs placed Murzagulov on a wanted list. In spring 2025, he reported that he had applied to join the “Freedom of Russia” Legion.