Former Russian political prisoner, Vladimir Kara-Murza, and his wife, Evgenia, have been in London, marking a remarkable turnaround from his imprisonment in a Siberian gulag just six weeks ago. Vladimir, a journalist and political activist, was targeted and poisoned twice by the same FSB unit that targeted Alexei Navalny, who tragically did not make it out alive.
Evgenia spoke about the emotional trauma they endured during Vladimir’s imprisonment, highlighting the difficulty of explaining political repression to those in democratic countries. Vladimir’s knowledge of the Soviet prison system from historical studies enabled him to navigate the gulag’s rules and regulations, giving him a sense of familiarity even in such harsh conditions.
Their friend, Bill Browder, who lobbied for Vladimir’s release, expressed disbelief at his freedom, as did Vladimir himself, who was convinced he would not survive his time in prison. Despite witnessing ideological hatred from FSB agents, he remains hopeful for a collapse of Putin’s regime in Russia and stresses the importance of Western leaders taking responsibility for their roles.
Vladimir believes that Russia’s defeat in Ukraine will be a catalyst for political change in the country and emphasizes the need for collective accountability on a global scale. As he enjoys his newfound freedom in London, he remains optimistic about the future transparency that will reveal any connections between Western politicians and the Putin regime.
His presence in London, surrounded by the opulence and connections to Russia’s elite, serves as a small beacon of hope amidst Putin’s oppressive regime, with Vladimir’s story representing a flickering light from within the darkness.
Source
Photo credit www.theguardian.com
