UK sanctions five Russians involved in Vladimir Kara-Murza trial
The UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has sanctioned five Russian nationals connected with the conviction of Vladimir Kara-Murza, a prominent critic of Vladimir Putin, the British government reports.
The sanctions were introduced against investigators and FSB officers.
The Moscow City Court sentenced Vladimir Kara-Murza to 25 years in prison on 17 April. Kara-Murza has been in custody since April 2022. He was charged with high treason, “fakes” about the Russian army, and running an “undesirable organisation” for working with Open Russia.
The international community condemned the verdict. In particular, EU High Representative Josep Borrell called the decision “outrageously harsh”, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called on Russia’s authorities to release the politician “without further delay”.
