Recording: Press Conference with Russian Political Activist Vladimir Kara-Murza
An exclusive press conference at RUSI with Vladimir Kara-Murza, a prominent Russian opposition politician and British citizen recently liberated from prison in Russia.
Overview
At this event organised by the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign and RUSI's Centre for Finance and Security, Vladimir Kara-Murza discussed his recent imprisonment, the war in Ukraine, and the future of Russian opposition. This marks his first public appearance in the UK since his release in a major prisoner swap in 2024.
About the speaker
Throughout his career, Vladimir Kara-Murza has played a key role in advocating for international sanctions against Russian human rights violators, including his work on the Magnitsky Act. However, his activism has come at a great personal cost. He survived two poisoning attempts in 2015 and 2017. In April 2022, he was arrested for criticizing Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and in April 2023, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison on charges of treason and spreading "false information" about the Russian military. 
On August 1, 2024, Kara-Murza was freed in the largest East-West prisoner swap since the Cold War. He was among 16 Russian dissidents and foreign nationals released in the exchange.
Despite his ordeal, Kara-Murza has remained steadfast in his opposition to the current Russian government. He was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in May 2024 for his columns written for the Washington Post while imprisoned.
