25 Years in Prison

Apr 17 2023 The Washington Post

Russia sentences Kara-Murza, Putin critic and Post contributor, to 25 years

Opinion by the Editorial Board

Why Vladimir Kara-Murza, and Russia, should live in freedom

After the sentence Vladimir Kara-Murza said:
“My self-esteem has even risen. I realised that I have done everything right as a citizen and as a politician.”

His mother, Elena Gordon, condemned the verdict:
“I felt like I fell asleep there and woke up in a Kafka novel or an Ionesco play. Who are all these people? The world is upside down. We are in the 23rd year of the 21st century. What’s going on?”

In his final statement in the trial Vladimir Kara-Murza said:

“I also know that the day will come when the darkness over our country will dissipate, when those who kindled and unleashed this war, and not those who tried to stop it, are recognised as criminals.”

“This day will come as inevitably as spring comes to replace even the most frosty winter. And then our society will open its eyes and be horrified by what terrible crimes were committed on its behalf.”