Politician Vladimir Kara-Murza* was sentenced to 25 years in a strict regime colony for treason, “false” about the army and the activities of an unwanted organization. The verdict has already been described as “monstrous” and “insufficient”. Russian media collected what they say about the decision of the Moscow City Court in Russia and around the world.
Maria Eismont, lawyer for Vladimir Kara-Murza*
This sentence, 25 years in a strict regime colony, is the maximum that can be imposed on a person without a criminal record. At the same time, it is unlikely that this maximum can be awarded, following the letter of the law, to Vladimir, who is the father of three children, two minors and one minor, which is a mitigating circumstance.
It seems that if more people could have been named, more would have been named, but the maximum that could be named today, based on what Vladimir is accused of, based on the fact that he has no previous conviction, is 25 years. He received 25 years – exactly what the prosecutor asked for. <…>
“This is a terrible, but very high assessment of Vladimir’s work as a politician, as a citizen. This is how he perceives the verdict. When he heard the 25-year sentence, he said: “My self-esteem even increased, I realized I had done everything right. This is the highest score I received for what I did, what I believed in, as a citizen, as a patriot, as a politician,” Eismont said.
Sergei Savostyanov / TASS
We have already observed that the court has the habit of refusing anything to the prosecution. And here we see another confirmation.
“A monstrous punishment, in terms of harshness comparable only to the punishments of Stalin’s time. And then there they often gave less, the norm for anti-government statements. <…> It was 10 years after all at the time of Stalin. 25 was not so common back then,” Rachinsky told Russian media.
Because today, like today, it looks not only like an anachronism, but also like a monstrous absence of rights. This verdict was rendered when the Constitution proclaimed freedom of expression, proclaimed the prohibition of censorship. All this is completely forgotten by the court. Undoubtedly, this verdict will be overturned. I think those who pronounce such anti-legal condemnations will sooner or later answer for their actions.
Elena Gordon, mother of Vladimir Kara-Murza*
I expected a term of 24 years 11 months, how such a mockery. We decided not to get replaced like that, because it’s already ridiculous.
“My main feeling, in addition to the feeling of obviously brazenly demonstrative injustice, is also an equally blatant feeling of absurdity,” Elena Gordon shared.
It seemed to me that I fell asleep and woke up in a Kafka novel or a play by Ionesco. Who are these people? A world upside down. Are we in the 23rd year of the 21st century? What it is? What is happening?
Now we see that for economic crimes (the Magomedov brothers were sentenced to 18 and 19, this is purely economic), for crimes under new articles – people began to receive shocking terms, sounding grandiose. Because not everyone will go that long and survive, for someone that term is a life sentence. If we take an article on treason, before they gave seven or eight years they became a little more, but now we have reached 25 years.
“I will say right away that it is an insufficient period. Because if we talk about correction, and initially we interpreted that our whole penal system is precisely aimed not only at punishing the criminal, but also at trying to correct him and reintegrate him into society, and if we pursue this objective, then those terms are definitely irrelevant with this problem.
<…> It’s one thing when a person thinks they only have five years in prison, it’s quite another when they realize that they will be in prison in such conditions for 25 years. This can lead, first, to an increase in suicides. When there is no perspective for 25 years, even those who were very positive and optimistic begin to slide into the negative. I noticed that those who receive long sentences, if they are not rapists and criminals accustomed to this history, they immediately try to commit suicide because of the long sentences. We will have to see what will happen with the suicides,” Merkacheva told Russian media.
Alexander Avilov / Agency “Moscow”
Vladimir Kara-Murza* was sentenced today to 25 years in prison. The verdict came after a rushed trial behind closed doors. A criminal case has been brought against him for a bold statement against (special operation).
The British government expresses its solidarity with Vladimir Kara-Murza* and his family and calls for his immediate release.
Today’s decision to sentence Vladimir Kara-Murza* to 25 years in prison for criticizing the policies of his country’s government is another monstrous sign of the repression sweeping Russia. We demand his immediate release.
The right to hold political opinions or disagree with government decisions is one of the fundamental freedoms enshrined in both the Russian constitution and international treaties to which Russia is a party.
The move is an attempt to silence dissent in the country and defiantly show what happens to people who dare to disagree with Russian government policy. Kara-Murza* showed that it is patriots, not traitors, who speak the truth to authorities.
The criminalization of criticism of government actions is a manifestation of fear, not force. Who will be next in the current atmosphere of repression?
Unfortunately, Russia is on the way to destroying free speech and returning to the darkest times in its history. I support the right of Vladimir Kara-Murza* and every Russian to express their own opinion on the direction of development of their country. Vladimir Kara-Murza* and countless Russians believe and hope for a future where basic freedoms are respected in Russia. And we share those hopes.
Alison Leclerc, Ambassador of Canada to Russia
Alexander Avilov / Agency “Moscow”
Three decades ago, a free and democratic Russia was struggling to emerge. Today’s verdict is a sad testimony to the dark turn this struggle has taken. Regardless of this verdict, free thinkers in this country and around the world recognize Vladimir Kara-Murza* as a man of honor and conscience, a staunch defender of civil and political rights and an ally of the people in their fight for freedom and democratic Russia.
Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU
The European Union strongly condemns the decision of the Moscow City Court to sentence opposition politician, democracy activist and Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza* to 25 years in prison on political grounds.
“Today’s shockingly harsh court decision once again clearly demonstrates the use of the judiciary for political purposes to pressure activists, human rights defenders and anyone who speaks out against the (military actions) of Russia against Ukraine,” Borrell said in a statement.
This “trial” failed to meet international standards for a fair and public trial by a competent, impartial and independent tribunal. Observers were not allowed to attend process meetings.
In addition, Russia must ensure that Vladimir Kara-Murza* and other prisoners have access to appropriate medical services.
In his final statement to the court, Vladimir Kara-Murza* said his trial was reminiscent of the show trials of the 1930s. <…>
Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putin’s press secretary
We never comment on court decisions, and we won’t this time either.
*registered by the Ministry of Justice of Russia in the register of foreign agents
** registered by the Ministry of Justice of Russia in the register of foreign agents and liquidated by decision of the Supreme Court of Russia
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