Given the ban on photography, video, and audio recording in courtrooms, sketches produced by artists remain one of the few ways to visually document legal proceedings. Despite this, during the March 18 hearing for Anton Chechin, Sergei Kukharchuk, and Artyom Gribul, Judge Nato Khujadze attempted to restrict an artist’s work, directing that “faces should not be flaunted.” After defense lawyers clarified that sketching is not prohibited—a point the prosecutor also conceded—the artist was allowed to continue working, though with the restriction that faces not be depicted.

This situation unfolds against the backdrop of legislative amendments passed in June 2025, which effectively banned recording in courtrooms. These changes have significantly complicated media coverage of trials and diminished the public’s access to information.

The court is currently holding a pretrial hearing for a new case involving Anton Chechin, Sergei Kukharchuk, and Artyom Gribul. The Russian and Ukrainian nationals, who have already been convicted in cases related to protest rallies, are now being accused of “group playing of handmade cards” while in the penitentiary facility. This charge carries a sentence of 3 to 5 years in prison. Chechin and Gribul are already serving 8.5-year sentences, while Kukharchuk is serving a 2-year sentence. Following the new charges, the prisoners were transferred to separate cells.