RWCHR Senior Fellow Vladimir Kara-Murza freed in prisoner swap
In response to confirmed reports of the largest prisoner exchange since the Cold War, we are elated to share that our dear friend and Senior Fellow, Russian pro-democracy activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, is among the 24 prisoners released.
We are proud that our team - along with our partners - played a small role in advancing this deal and in ensuring that Kara-Murza was included on the prisoner list, which also includes Canadian-US citizen Paul Whelan, American journalist Evan Gershovich, and several other Russian political prisoners.
Every day since Kara-Murza was arrested in April 2022 for publicly condemning the Putin regime and its war in Ukraine, we have feared for his life. His 25-year sentence on baseless charges of high treason, which he served in a harsh Siberian penal colony for over a year, were meant to send a message to any who would stand up for truth and justice in Russia.
Our sustained advocacy for his release over the past two years, including our podcast on his harrowing ordeal, our efforts to ensure he was granted honorary Canadian citizenship, our recent joint efforts with the Free Russia Foundation (FRF), Human Rights Foundation (HRF), and the McCain Institute, as well as our sanctions recommendation to the Canadian government, have finally borne fruit.
We extend our deepest gratitude to all who supported our campaign for his release.
This news is a tremendous relief to all those who know and love him- none more than his wife and fellow activist Evgenia Kara-Murza and their three children.
This is also a victory for all who believe in the principles of human rights and justice to which Vladmir has dedicated his career and risked his life.
Each of the 24 prisoners released from Russian state custody today represents freedom restored and a family reunited. We wish each one a full recovery from their horrific ordeals.
As we celebrate their release, we also renew our commitment to advocating for political prisoners, prisoners of conscience, hostages, and all those unlawfully detained worldwide, including the thousands still unjustly behind bars in Putin’s Russia.
Welcome back to freedom, Vladimir!
Your unwavering spirit and dedication to democracy shine brighter than ever.
We look forward to hosting you in Canada as our honorary citizen soon, and to resuming our work together to build a world in which justice prevails.