Russian court sentences journalist to 25 years in prison: Media

April 17, 2023

Sentence includes fine, ban on journalistic activities for 7 years, restriction of freedom for 6 months after release, says judge, according to Russian state news agency

By Anadolu Agency

A Russian court on Monday sentenced journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza to 25 years in prison on charges of treason, spreading “false information” about the Russian military, and leading an “undesirable” organization, according to the Russian state media.

"Sentence Kara-Murza V.V. in the form of imprisonment for a term of 25 years with serving a sentence in a strict regime colony with a fine of 400,000 rubles ($4,913), a ban on journalistic activities for a period of seven years and restriction of freedom for six months after release from the (correctional) colony," judge of the Moscow City Court Sergey Podoprigorov said, according to TASS.

In response to the verdict, Kara-Murza’s lawyer Maria Eismont said an appeal will be filed based on “a number of serious procedural violations that were committed during the consideration of this case,” the report further said.

Kara-Murza has been detained since April 2022 after speaking before the Arizona House of Representatives in the US a month earlier, where he spoke out against the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.