Vladimir Vladimirovich Kara-Murza

Vladimir Vladimirovich Kara-Murza (born 7 September 1981) is a Russian opposition politician, liberal dissident and former prisoner. He serves as vice chairman of Open Russia, a NGO founded by Russian businessman and former oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky, which promotes civil society and democracy in Russia. He was elected to the Coordinating Council of the Russian Opposition in 2012, and served as deputy leader of the People's Freedom Party from 2015 to 2016. He is the author of two documentaries, They Chose Freedom and Nemtsov. Kara-Murza is of Latvian descent and holds an M.A. in history from Cambridge University and is a Senior Fellow to the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights. Arrested in April 2022, he was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment a year later, but was released in August 2024 as part of a prisoner exchange with the West. Earlier in 2024, he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for his contributions to The Washington Post.

"No matter how powerful the forces against them, when people are prepared to stand up for what they believe, they succeed."

"Perhaps the most important requirement in an election is that voters have a choice."

"Even a handful of dissenting voices in legislative institutions—especially when they are loud and persistent—can present a serious threat to the system."

"There can be nothing more pro-Russian than to bring much-needed accountability to those who violate the rights of Russian citizens and steal the money of Russian taxpayers — and continue to spend that money."

Quotes

• No matter how powerful the forces against them, when people are prepared to stand up for what they believe, they succeed... [T]hat's the basis of my hope for the future of Russia.
  • As quoted in "A Russian Patriot and His Country, Part I" (10 April 2017), by Jay Nordlinger, National Review

• In the tightly controlled and airproof "vertical of power" that is Vladimir Putin's Russia, even a handful of dissenting voices in legislative institutions—especially when they are loud and persistent—can present a serious threat to the system. Such was the voice of the late Boris Nemtsov.
  • "Outspoken Russian Lawmaker Expelled for Truth" (25 September 2015), Spotlight on Russia, World Affairs Journal

• Perhaps the most important requirement in an election is that voters have a choice. It sounds trivial, but that is something that has been lacking in most Russian elections held under Vladimir Putin’s rule.
  • "As the Kremlin Tightens the Screws, It Invites Popular Revolt" (20 July 2017), Spotlight on Russia, World Affairs Journal

• There can be nothing more pro-Russian than to bring much-needed accountability to those who violate the rights of Russian citizens and steal the money of Russian taxpayers — and continue to spend that money, buy real estate and park their families in the West. That is precisely what the Magnitsky legislation, now adopted in six Western countries, does, by prohibiting individuals responsible for human rights abuses and corruption from receiving visas or holding assets in their territories.
• The Magnitsky legislation is a pale substitute for justice. The penalty for torture, murder, wrongful imprisonment or grand corruption should not be canceled vacations in Miami Beach or on the Côte d’Azur but a real trial in a real court of law. One day, this will be possible in Russia. For now, it is not, and targeted sanctions from Western democracies serve as the only mechanism of accountability for corrupt Kremlin officials and human rights abusers. I will continue this work, as I know will many of my colleagues, regardless of any legislative novelties from the Russian government.
  • "The Kremlin revives a Soviet-style law against dissent" (18 May 2018), The Washington Post

• There is hardly a practice of the Soviet repression of dissent that has not been revived by Vladimir Putin’s regime in Russia. A host of draconian new laws has criminalized public criticism of the government and of its actions — especially regarding the war on Ukraine. Political opposition is now officially equated with treason. Opponents of the Kremlin have been murdered, poisoned and imprisoned.
  • "Putin is planning a Soviet-style punishment for his critics", (13 March 2023), Washington Post

Quotes about Kara-Murza

• One by one, Kara-Murza’s colleagues have been exiled, like Khodorkovsky. Or imprisoned. Or killed. Kara-Murza is determined to press on, however, believing that he has important work to do. And if people shrink from doing it, how will it get done?
  • Jay Nordlinger, "A Russian Patriot and His Country, Part I" (10 April 2017), National Review

• Outspoken Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza will be a pallbearer for John McCain when the coffin of the late Republican senator is carried at Washington's National Cathedral... Kara-Murza's name was announced this week by the office of McCain, along with other details of his memorial services in Arizona, Washington, D.C., and Annapolis, Maryland. Kara-Murza joins a list of prominent U.S. dignitaries in the honor of carrying McCain's coffin...
  • Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, "Kremlin Critic Kara-Murza To Be Pallbearer At McCain's Funeral" (29 August 2018)