Prominent Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, 41, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison on charges linked to his criticism of the war in Ukraine.
The Russian-British former journalist and politician was convicted of treason, spreading “false” information about the Russian army, and associating with an “undesirable organization.” Kara-Murza has consistently voiced opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin and criticized the government’s repression of dissent.
In a statement last week, Kara-Murza maintained that he stood by his words and was proud of his actions. He expressed hope that Russian society would eventually recognize the crimes committed in its name. The 25-year sentence, the longest received by an opposition figure since the Ukraine conflict began, has sparked widespread condemnation. The trial took only minutes, with the judge ordering Kara-Murza to serve his time in a “strict regime correctional colony” and pay a fine of 400,000 roubles ($4,900; £4,000).
The BBC was denied entry to the courtroom, with only a few Russian state media journalists and the defendant’s mother and lawyer granted access. Foreign ambassadors and other reporters watched the proceedings on two TV screens in a separate room. After the sentencing, Kara-Murza’s lawyer, Maria Eismon, described the verdict as “terrifying” but acknowledged it as a “high appreciation” of her client’s work.
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny called the sentence “revenge” by the Kremlin for Kara-Murza’s survival of two alleged poisonings by Russian authorities. Kara-Murza played a significant role in urging Western governments to sanction Russian officials for human rights abuses and corruption.
The verdict has been condemned by the UK, UN, and US State Department, with the latter describing Kara-Murza as “yet another target of the Russian government’s escalating campaign of repression.” Human Rights Watch referred to the ruling as a “travesty of justice” and called for Kara-Murza’s immediate release.
