“Meduza” publisher Galina Timchenko has been arrested in absentia.

A request to place Galina Timchenko, publisher of Meduza, in pre-trial detention has been submitted to the Cheryomushki District Court in Moscow according to court records, in connection with a case on organising the activities of an “undesirable organisation” (part 3, article 284.1 of the Criminal Code). Mediazona drew attention to the court filing.

A criminal case against Timchenko was opened in May. According to investigators, in September 2024 and March 2025, Timchenko published videos “to foster protest attitudes among citizens” and to “involve them in the activities” of an “undesirable organisation.” In June, she was declared wanted by the authorities.

20:34 The court has granted the request to arrest Galina Timchenko in absentia, Mediazona reports.

Headline updated after the preventive measure was issued

• In January 2023, Meduza was designated an “undesirable organisation.” Since then, staff and speakers of the outlet have repeatedly been prosecuted for alleged cooperation with an “undesirable organisation.”