Vladimir Kara-Murza: Russian opposition figure jailed for 25 years

Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, who is a former journalist and politician of Russian-British descent, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison in Russia. He has been convicted of charges related to treason and criticism of the war in Ukraine. Kara-Murza has denied the charges and has been openly critical of his trial.

He played a crucial role in persuading Western governments to impose sanctions on Russian officials for corruption and human rights abuses. His arrest took place a year ago in Moscow, initially for disobeying a police officer, and more severe charges were levied against him once he was in custody. His sentence is the harshest given to an opposition figure to date.

During his trial, one of the charges against Vladimir Kara-Murza was related to a speech he gave in the US, where he accused Russia of committing war crimes in Ukraine by using cluster bombs in residential areas and targeting schools and hospitals.

Although these claims were independently verified, Russian investigators dismissed them as false, stating that the defense ministry did not allow the use of prohibited methods in warfare and that Russia did not target Ukrainian civilians.

Another charge against Kara-Murza was related to an event for political prisoners, during which he criticized Russia’s alleged repressive policies, as deemed by investigators.

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