In Russia, opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, accused of treason, was tried in a closed trial on Monday. He faces up to 20 years in prison for criticizing the Kremlin.
In Russia, opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, accused of treason, was tried in a closed trial on Monday. He faces up to 20 years in prison for criticizing the Kremlin.
Kara-Murza was charged in connection with his criticism of Moscow at three public events abroad, his lawyer told local media, stressing that these statements “did not pose any threat to the country.”
“A true patriot of Russia. He is accused of his tireless fight for a Russia that would be free from Putin,” his spouse Yevgenia Kara-Murza said on social networks.
The oppositionist was detained in April last year because, as the Kremlin believes, he had spread “fake news” about the Russian army.
The case was initiated in connection with his speech last March to members of the lower house of the Arizona Legislature about Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
In August, Kara-Murza was accused of being associated with an “undesirable organization” because he had participated in a conference in support of political prisoners.
The oppositionist is also included in the list of “foreign agents” in Russia.
Since Russia launched a full-scale war against Ukraine last February, Moscow has stepped up its efforts to stifle any expression of discontent.
Almost all of Putin’s most visible opponents are either imprisoned or have fled the country.
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