Russian opposition politician Kara-Murza denies treason charges - lawyer

MOSCOW. Oct 6 (Interfax) - A criminal case over treason has been opened against opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza (designated a foreign agent in Russia), who was arrested on the accusation of discrediting the Russian Armed Forces, his lawyer Vadim Prokhorov told Interfax on Thursday.

"The investigator served on Kara-Murza an indictment with three counts of treason. Certainly, he denies guilt," Prokhorov said.

According to the inquiry, Kara-Murza cooperated with NATO countries, publicly speaking out against the Russian authorities.

The treason article carries a penalty of up to 20 years of imprisonment.

In addition to the "case over fakes," Kara-Murza was earlier indicted of carrying out the activities of an undesirable organization.

The opposition activist was arrested in late April, and the Justice Ministry assigned him the status of an individual foreign agent.

The Investigative Committee charged him with spreading knowingly false information about the use of Russia's Armed Forces. Kara-Murza has been accused of one count of spreading fake stories about Russian troops, namely, "his speech at the Arizona State House of Representatives on March 15 this year," Prokhorov said.

Kara-Murza denies all charges and considers his case politically motivated.