Russian opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza has today been sentenced to 25 years in a Moscow court on charges of treason, “fake news” and participating in an “undesirable organisation”.
In effect, the court has criminalised Kara-Murza’s criticism of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and his role in lobbying for the Global Magnitsky Act – under which the UK, EU, US and Canada may sanction individuals who violate human rights. The 42-year-old joins more than 200 people who have so far come under investigation for speaking out about Russia’s invasion.
It’s a poignant moment for the country’s opposition, as thousands of supporters have fled Russia while activists and leaders have been locked up. The 25-year sentence recalls the verdicts handed out by Stalin’s judges in the 1930s.
