Russia Seeks Poet Sergei Leibgrad, Now Living in Israel, Under Criminal Code
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
Russia's Interior Ministry has placed poet and publicist Sergei Leibgrad, who lives in Israel, on its federal wanted list under an unspecified article of the Criminal Code. Leibgrad, who left Russia in July 2022, was designated a "foreign agent" in September 2026 for allegedly spreading "unreliable information" and opposing the war in Ukraine. The exact charges and initiation date of the criminal case remain undisclosed.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Russia's Interior Ministry has placed poet Sergei Leibgrad, living in Israel, on its federal wanted list.
- Leibgrad is wanted under an unspecified article of the Russian Criminal Code.
- He was designated a "foreign agent" in September 2026.
- The designation cited his opposition to the war in Ukraine and dissemination of "unreliable information."
- Leibgrad left Russia for Israel in July 2022.
Russia's Interior Ministry has placed Sergei Leibgrad, a 64-year-old poet, publicist, and journalist residing in Israel, on its federal wanted list. The ministry's notice states he is wanted under an article of the Russian Criminal Code, but does not specify which one. The media outlet "Mediazona" first noted Leibgrad's appearance in the ministry's database. Responding to the news on his Facebook page, Leibgrad quoted Boris Pasternak: "What evil have I done, I am a murderer and a villain?"
Leibgrad, born in Kuybyshev, previously worked for media outlets in Samara, including "Ekho Moskvy v Samare," headed the "Zasekin" news agency, published the contemporary art magazine "Tsirk Olimp," and has authored 16 books of poetry and essays. He left Russia for Israel in July 2022.
In September 2026, Russia's Ministry of Justice designated Leibgrad as a "foreign agent." The ministry claimed he disseminated materials from other "foreign agents," spread "unreliable information" about Russian government decisions, and opposed the war in Ukraine. The specific criminal charge and the date the case was initiated have not yet been officially disclosed.
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