17 Apr 2023 18:42

U.S., EU call on Russia to release journalist Kara-Murza

WASHINGTON. April 17 (Interfax) - The United States and the European Union on Monday called on Russian authorities to release opposition figure and journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza (designated as a foreign agent in Russia), who was sentenced to 25 years in a high-security penitentiary on counts of treason.

"The United States condemns the sentencing of Vladimir Kara-Murza to 25 years in prison. [...] We renew our call for Kara-Murza's release, as well as the release of the more than 400 political prisoners in Russia," U.S. State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said in a statement.

For his part, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell also condemned the Moscow City Court's ruling to sentence Kara-Murza to 25 years in prison "on politically motivated charges."

"We call on Russia to immediately and unconditionally release all those imprisoned for politically motivated charges," Borrell said in a statement on Kara-Murza's sentence.

He also called for ensuring that the opposition figure has access to "appropriate health care."

Borrell noted that the Kara-Murza trial "did not meet the international standards of a fair and public hearing by a competent, impartial, and independent tribunal."

In addition, he called on Russia to repeal the laws on foreign agents and undesirable organizations.

Earlier on Monday, the Moscow City Court sentenced Kara-Murza to 25 years in a high-security penitentiary, fined 400,000 rubles and barred from journalistic activity for seven years.

Kara-Murza, a Russian citizen and a British national, was found guilty of treason, spreading disinformation about Russian military activities, and collaboration with an undesirable organization.

Kara-Murza pleaded not guilty to any of the charges and said that his prosecution was politically motivated. His defense team will appeal the verdict. His lawyer Maria Eismont said that Kara-Murza had been diagnosed with polyneuropathy, which she said is on the list of diseases that prevent him from serving his sentence.