Dmitri Glukhovsky, best known for writing the book-turned-video game series Metro 2033, has received a hefty prison sentence for speaking his views on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Associated Press reports that Dmitri Glukhovsky has been sentenced to eight years in prison. Notably, Glukhovsky was not in Russia when he received this significant sentence, but he was still tried for his alleged crimes. Glukhovsky is best known for writing the novel Metro 2033, which later inspired a successful video game franchise.
Way back in March 2022, Russia passed a bill that allows anyone who spreads “fake” news regarding the Russian military can face prison sentences of up to 15 years. This law was passed right after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and this puts the Metro 2033 writer in the crosshairs of the law for his critical analysis of the situation in Russia.
In April 2022, while outside of Russia, Dmitri Glukhovsky expressed strong disapproval of the country, stating that the war “unleashed by Putin is becoming more terrible and inhuman every day, and the pretexts under which it was started look more and more insignificant and false.” Due to his outspoken criticism of the war, Russia labelled him a “foreign agent” in October 2022. This designation played a significant role in his subsequent guilty verdict.
Interestingly, before the Associated Press released their article on Dmitri Glukhovsky’s sentencing, the author took to Twitter to share a thought. A loose Google translation of his tweet reads, “A Russian person is more ready to put up with daily danger than with boredom.” While this tweet has not been directly connected to his sentencing, it provides further insight into Glukhovsky’s reflections on Russian society. Over time, Glukhovsky has made multiple statements and given various indications of his feelings about the war. It’s clear that he has strong opinions and isn’t hesitant to voice them, even if they might be controversial.
The fourth installment of the Metro 2033 series has been in the works since 2020. Unlike its predecessors, which primarily focused on single-player narratives, this new entry is said to emphasize a multiplayer experience. This shift in gameplay dynamics indicates an evolution in the series and has piqued the interest of many enthusiasts and gamers around the world.
