Members of Congress are urging for the immediate release of Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza Jr. as they commemorate the second anniversary of his imprisonment. Kara-Murza, a journalist and opposition activist, was jailed in April 2022 and convicted of treason for denouncing the war in Ukraine. He is currently serving a 25-year sentence, the harshest penalty given to a Kremlin critic in modern Russia.
A bipartisan group from both the House and Senate, led by Sen. Ben Cardin and Sen. Jim Risch, is intensifying efforts to pressure Russian authorities and the Biden administration to secure Kara-Murza's release. Sen. Risch has called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to designate Kara-Murza as a 'wrongfully detained person' to elevate his case and provide support to his family.
Kara-Murza's charges stem from a speech critical of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He has survived two poisonings that he attributes to Russian authorities and has denounced the trial against him as reminiscent of Soviet-era show trials.
The U.S. has also condemned Russia for the arrests of American citizens, including journalists and dual nationals. A resolution introduced by senators denounces the Russian government's actions and demands the immediate release of detained Americans, such as Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Travis Leake, Marc Fogel, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Ksenia Khavana.
Sen. Tim Kaine emphasized the importance of utilizing all available tools to bring detained Americans home, including Virginian Vladimir Kara-Murza. Kara-Murza's wife, Evgenia Kara-Murza, has been advocating for her husband's release, highlighting the harsh conditions he has endured, including solitary confinement.
The event on Capitol Hill served as a platform for lawmakers and Kara-Murza's family to appeal for his freedom. The ongoing efforts aim to draw attention to the plight of Kremlin critics and pressure Russian authorities to release political prisoners.
Supporters of Kara-Murza are hopeful that increased international pressure will lead to his release and that of other individuals unjustly detained in Russia.
