In the biggest prisoner exchange since the Cold War, Russia has released a prominent dissident who has vowed to return to the country. Vladimir Kara-Murza, who is a dual British-Russian citizen, was one of 24 prisoners who were freed in the exchange. During his release in Siberia last month, Kara-Murza thought he was being led out to be executed. However, he realised he was being released when he saw that he was on a plane.
In his first joint interview since his release, Kara-Murza and his wife Evgenia told the BBC that he plans to return to Russia. Despite being one of the Kremlin’s most vocal critics, Kara-Murza remains undeterred and defiant. In the interview, he is quoted as saying, “Look, man, I am a historian, I don’t just think, I don’t just believe, I know that I’ll be back home in Russia, and it’s going to happen much sooner than you can imagine.”
Kara-Murza was sentenced to 25 years in jail on charges of high treason in April 2023. He was held in solitary confinement in a high-security prison. Despite his imprisonment, Kara-Murza remained a vocal critic of the Kremlin. His release is seen as a significant move by Russia, which has been criticised by human rights organisations for its treatment of political prisoners.
The full interview with Vladimir Kara-Murza and his wife Evgenia will be broadcast on the BBC on Sunday. Meanwhile, the international community will be watching to see how Russia responds to Kara-Murza’s return. His release is seen as a significant moment for those who have been critical of the Kremlin’s human rights record
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