The British and American embassies have called for the release of Russian politician Vladimir Kara-Murza*, who was sentenced by the Moscow City Court to 25 years in prison. This was reported by an Russian media correspondent from the scene.
British Ambassador to Russia Deborah Bronnert, leaving the Moscow City Court, where the verdict was announced, said it “was delivered following a hasty, closed-door trial”.
“A criminal case has been brought against (Kara-Murza) for a bold statement against the Russian invasion of Ukraine . The British government expresses its solidarity with Vladimir Kara-Murza and his family and calls for his immediate release,” she said.
US Ambassador to Russia Lynn Tracy also said Washington was calling for the release of Kara-Murza*. “Criminalizing criticism of government actions is a sign of weakness, not strength. We support the right of Kara-Murza* and every Russian citizen to have the right to express an opinion on the direction of their country’s development,” she added.
“Vladimir Kara-Murza* and countless Russians believe in and hope for a future where fundamental freedoms are respected in Russia. And we share those hopes,” Tracy said.
Canadian Ambassador Alison LeClair, in turn, said that “three decades ago a free and democratic Russia tried to be born in a struggle.”
“Today’s verdict is a sad testament to the dark turn this fight has taken,” said Canadian Ambassador Alison LeClair.
On April 17, the Moscow City Court sentenced politician Vladimir Kara-Murza * to 25 years in a strict regime colony for treason (Art. 275 of the Criminal Code), public dissemination of “false” information about the army (Part 2 of Art. 207.3 of the Penal Code) and activities of an undesirable organization (Part 1 of Art. 284.1 of the Penal Code). The prosecution has requested a 25-year sentence for the politician. The hearings were held behind closed doors due to the “secret” stamp. The reason for the opening of the “fake” case was Kara-Murza ‘s speech in the House of Representatives of the US state of Arizona, where he spoke about the actions of the Russian army during the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In addition, according to investigators, Kara-Murza allegedly provided organizations in NATO member countries with “assistance directed against the security of Russia”, for which he received $30,000 a month. Kara-Murza* himself does not plead guilty to any of the charges and considers his persecution to be politically motivated.
- recognized by the Ministry of Justice as a foreign agent
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