Russian opposition leader, journalist Kara-Murza sentenced to 25 years in prison. US, UK, Canada respond

Russian media outlets reported the information.

"To sentence Kara-Murza to 25 years' imprisonment in a maximum security colony with a fine of RUB 400,000, a ban on journalistic activity for 7 years and restriction of freedom for 1.5 years after release," Judge Sergey Podoprigorov announced the verdict.

The journalist was sentenced to 3 years in prison under the article on running an undesirable organization, 7 years under the article on "spreading fakes about the army," and another 18 years for treason.

Judge Sergey Podoprigorov, who announced the verdict, is mentioned in the Magnitsky Act, which Kara-Murza helped to compile.

The convict's lawyer, Maria Eismont, said that the defense would appeal the verdict. She claims there are serious concerns regarding Kara-Murza’s health, he suffers from a number of aggravated symptoms with numbness of the limbs - polyneuropathy.

Maria Eismont also called the verdict of the maximum possible term "a high regard for Vladimir as a politician.”She added that Kara-Murza had reacted to the verdict saying, "My self-esteem went up, I realized that I did the right things as a citizen and as a politician."

US Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy said she would continue to call for the release of politician Kara-Murza and called the criminal prosecution of regime critics a symbol of weakness, not strength.

"Vladimir Kara-Murza and countless Russians believe and hope for a future in which fundamental freedoms are respected in Russia. And we share these hopes," she said.

Commenting on the verdict, Ambassador of Canada to Russia Alison Leclair noted that "Thirty years ago, Russia fought for the creation of democracy. Now this struggle has taken a sad turn."

British Ambassador to Russia Deborah Bronnert, who was also present in court, said she was shocked by what had happened. She emphasized that this is a sentence "for bravely speaking out against Russia's invasion of Ukraine." The British Embassy called for the release of Vladimir Kara-Murza.

The UK's statement was also published on the government's website. 

"The United Kingdom has condemned the politically-motivated conviction and sentencing of British dual-national Vladimir Kara-Murza in a Moscow court today. Vladimir Kara-Murza is an opposition politician, journalist, and human rights activist in Russia and he has received wide recognition for his work, including the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize," the statement said.

The British Foreign Office summoned Russian Ambassador Andrey Kelin today. "It will make clear that the UK considers Mr Kara-Murza’s conviction to be contrary to Russia’s international obligations on human rights, including the right to a fair trial," the British government said.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly emphasized that Vladimir Kara-Murza "bravely denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for what it was – a blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter."

"Russia’s lack of commitment to protecting fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression, is alarming. We continue to urge Russia to adhere to its international obligations including Vladimir Kara-Murza’s entitlement to proper healthcare," he added.

The UK has already imposed sanctions on the judge who presided over the trial for previous involvement in human rights abuses. The UK government added that the country would consider further measures to bring to justice those involved in the detention and ill-treatment of Vladimir Kara-Murza.

The EU also responded to the verdict by strongly condemning it.

"Today’s outrageously harsh court decision clearly demonstrates yet again the political misuse of judiciary in order to pressure activists, human rights defenders and any voices opposing Russia’s illegitimate war of aggression against Ukraine," the EU said in a statement published on its website.

The EU recalled that the so-called “trial” did not meet international standards for a fair and public trial, and court hearings were not accessible to observers. And they called on Russia to ensure access to proper healthcare for Vladimir Kara-Murza and all other prisoners.

"We call on Russia to immediately and unconditionally release all those imprisoned for politically motivated charges. We also urge Russia to repeal its oppressive legislation, including the laws censoring truthful information about Russia’s war against Ukraine, and the laws on so-called “foreign agents” and “undesirable organisations” that are only used to suppress civil society and independent voices," the statement reads.

• On April 11, 2022, opposition leader and journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza was detained in Moscow. In February 2021, Bellingcat and the Insider published an investigation claiming that the FSB twice attempted to kill Vladimir Kara-Murza. It happened in May 2015 and in February 2017, when the politician was hospitalized with severe poisoning. According to investigators, the same FSB officers were involved in the poisoning of politician Alexei Navalny and writer Dmitry Bykov, and they also were following Boris Nemtsov before his murder.

• On October 6 of the same year, Kara-Murza was charged with treason for publicly criticizing the Russian authorities.