Demographer fined for interview with Meduza and for the outlet republishing his article

The Chertanovsky District Court in Moscow has fined sociologist and demographer Salavat Abylkalikov five thousand roubles (approx. US$55) under the article on participation in the activities of an “undesirable organisation” (article 20.33 of the Code of Administrative Offences). Abylkalikov himself reported this to OVD-Info.

One of the grounds for the charges was an interview Abylkalikov gave about the demographic crisis in Russia to the YouTube show “We Don’t Know.” This show is produced by Meduza.

The case materials also mention a publication of his article on the same topic on Meduza’s website—the text originally appeared on the Berlin Carnegie Center’s website.

Abylkalikov is a fellow of the Philipp Schwartz Initiative. He now lives in Germany. The demographer noted that he does not intend to return to Russia due to concerns about criminal prosecution.