Politician Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was asked by the prosecution for 25 years in prison on cases of military «fakes», participation in the activities of an «undesirable organization» and treason, made his final speech at today's closed meeting in the Moscow City Court. The full text of the appeal was published on the oppositionist's Twitter.
“Citizens of the judge! I was sure that after two decades in Russian politics; after all that I have seen and experienced, nothing can surprise me anymore. I must admit that I was wrong. Nevertheless, I was surprised that in terms of the degree of closeness and discrimination of the defense, my trial in 2023 left the «courts» behind; over Soviet dissidents in the 1960s and 70s. Not to mention the requested term and vocabulary about the «enemy»: this is not even the 1970s — this is the 1930s. For me, as a historian, this is an occasion for reflection.
At the stage of the defendant's testimony, the presiding judge reminded me that one of the extenuating circumstances is «remorse for the deed.» And although there is little fun around me now, I could not help smiling. The criminals must repent of their deeds. I'm in jail for my political views. For speaking out against the war in Ukraine. For many years of struggle against Putin's dictatorship. For facilitating the adoption of personal international sanctions under the «Magnitsky Law» against human rights violators.
Not only do I not repent of any of this, I am proud of it. I am proud that Boris Nemtsov brought me into politics. And I hope that he is not ashamed of me. I subscribe to every word of those that I have spoken and which are imputed to me in this accusation. And I blame myself for only one thing: that over the years of my political activity I have not been able to convince enough of my compatriots and politicians of democratic countries of the danger that the current regime in the Kremlin poses for Russia and for the world. Today this is obvious to everyone, but at a terrible price — the price of war.
<…> But I also know that the day will come when the darkness over our country will dissipate. When black is called black and white is called white; when at the official level it will be recognized that two times two is still four; when a war will be called a war, and a usurper a usurper; and when those who kindled and unleashed this war, and not those who tried to stop it, are recognized as criminals. <…> Even today, even in the darkness surrounding us, even sitting in this cage, I love my country and believe in our people. I believe that we will be able to go this way,” said Kara-Murza.
The politician will be sentenced on April 17. Today, journalists and human rights activists called for the release of Kara-Murza from the pre-trial detention center and an end to his criminal prosecution. A petition with these demands was published on the website of the journalism award «Editorial Board».
The criminal case against Kara-Murza became known in April 2022. At first, the politician was accused only under the article on military “fakes” (paragraph “d” of part 2 of article 207.3 of the Criminal Code), later the charge of participation in the activities of an “undesirable organization” was added to the case, and then of treason (part 1 of article 284.1 of the Criminal Code and article 275 of the Criminal Code). The first accusation was based on the politician's speech in the Arizona House of Representatives, the second — participation in a round table at the Sakharov Center. Kara-Murza is charged with treason because of his speech in Lisbon, Oslo and Washington.
Almost a year Kara-Murza has been in a pre-trial detention center — his health has deteriorated significantly due to his arrest. In March 2023, doctors diagnosed the politician with polyneuropathy — vascular damage on both feet. This disease is included in the list of those with which the accused cannot be kept in custody. According to lawyer Maria Eismont, Kara-Murza lost 22 kilograms during his time in the pre-trial detention center.
In 2015 and 2017, the oppositionist was hospitalized with symptoms of poisoning. The oppositionist's lawyer reported that it was the poisoning that caused Kara-Murza to develop polyneuropathy. Bellingcat has established that Kara-Murza was followed by FSB agents. The same security forces, according to journalists, followed the murdered politician Boris Nemtsov and the poisoned Alexei Navalny. The criminal case on the poisoning of Vladimir Kara-Murza has not been initiated.