Moscow threatens Russian actor with criminal charges after Ukraine war criticism

Moscow accuses Arthur Smolyaninov of making ‘a series of statements directed against Russia’

Artur Smolyaninov, a prominent Russian film and theater actor (AP)

A famous Russian actor is being threatened with criminal charges by Russian authorities after publicly criticising the war in Ukraine.

The search for Artur Smolyaninov, a prominent film and theatre actor, was announced by Russia’s top investigative on Monday in tandem with a second probe against a philanthropist who supports the Russian opposition.

In a statement, Russia’s Investigative Committee said that its chief Alexander Bastrykin ordered the launch of a criminal case against Mr Smolyaninov, who fled the country after Moscow’s forces invaded Ukraine.