The wife of a dual Russian-British national detained in Siberia told Sky News the UK government could have spoken more about his detention.
A Moscow court convicted Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was arrested near his home in Moscow in April 2022, on charges of treason. Russian Capital in April 2023.
The political activist and prominent opposition figure, who claims to have twice survived poisonings that he blamed on the country's authorities, was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
The charges stem from a March 2022 speech he gave to the Arizona House of Representatives, in which he denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
He talks to Skye Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips “The British government could have been more frank about his unlawful arrest and detention for two years now,” Evgenia Kara-Murza said on her programme.
She also said that the UK's “policy regarding hostages and political prisoners” was “not acceptable anymore”.
He added: “By saying we are not participating, the UK government is sending a very bad signal to its citizens around the world that if you end up in a situation like this, [then] Sorry, you're alone, Mrs. Kara Murza said.
She said such an attitude was unacceptable in the 21st century “in a civilized world.”
She called for a “different approach” because “the number of hostages and political prisoners around the world is rising.”
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Putin critic's wife: UK is sending a bad signal
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Dame Kara Murza also said she was “very grateful” for the recent meeting she had with Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron on the matter.
After the March 1 meeting, she said she was “very happy” that it was held after a long campaign and viewed it as “a sign of good faith on his part.”
“He assured me of his support, willingness and readiness to fight for Vladimir's release and make sure Vladimir's case is always publicized. So I think it went well overall,” she said.
Lord Cameron called for Kara Murza to be released to receive “urgent medical treatment”.
The Foreign Minister said in a statement that the “politically motivated conviction” was “regrettable.”
“Mr. Kara-Murza, imprisoned on false charges by the Russian regime, is being persecuted because of his anti-war stance and defense of human rights,” the peer said.
The 42-year-old opposition member rejected the charges brought against him as punishment for standing up to the Russian president Russian President Vladimir PutinThe procedures were likened to show trials during the era of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.
Ms. Kara Murza in Switzerland in 2023. Photo: Reuters
Last month, he appeared in court via video link and claimed to be A The state-backed hit squad is “physically eliminating” Putin's opponents.
Urges Mr. Kara-Murza Russians Do not give up after sudden death Alexei Navalny.
Kara-Murza was an aide to Russian opposition leader and fierce Putin critic Boris Nemtsov, who was assassinated near the Kremlin in 2015.
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Since September 2023, he has been serving his sentence in solitary confinement in the Siberian city of Omsk.
In January this year, he was transferred to another penal colony in the city and placed in solitary confinement again.
The move is widely seen as an attempt to pressure a man who, even behind bars, has remained a vocal critic of the Kremlin and its war in Ukraine.
Amnesty International said it considered him a prisoner of conscience “because he was convicted solely because of his political beliefs.”
“He must be released immediately and unconditionally,” says Amnesty International.
Also on Sunday morning with Trevor Phillips from 8.30am will be Health Secretary Victoria Atkins, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves and the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Scotland.
