UK sanctions six in connection with jailing of Jewish Putin critic for 25 years
British foreign secretary says rejection of dual national Vladimir Kara-Murza’s appeal following his sentencing ‘on bogus charges highlights the depravity of the Russian regime’
LONDON — The United Kingdom on Monday sanctioned “key figures involved in the deplorable sentencing” of dual national dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza after a Russian court dismissed his appeal against a 25-year sentence.
London announced it had sanctioned six figures — three judges, two prosecutors and an expert witness — for their role in what it called “his politically motivated targeting.”
They added that Kara-Murza was being “persecuted by the Russian regime for his anti-war stance.”
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has called for the immediate release of the dual British national.
“The rejection of Vladimir Kara-Murza’s appeal following his sentencing on bogus charges highlights the depravity of the Russian regime,” said Cleverly.
“Today we’ve sanctioned six people connected with his case, sending a clear message that the UK will not stand for this treatment of one of its citizens.”
Those sanctioned include two Moscow City Court judges who convicted and sentenced Kara-Murza and the lead prosecutor in the trial.
London had already sanctioned five individuals over the case -– a judge, two investigators involved in the trial and two FSB agents involved in the arrest.
Kara-Murza suffers from a nerve condition called polyneuropathy, which his lawyers say is due to two poisoning attempts in 2015 and 2017.
The condition has worsened in prison, his lawyer said.
The Jewish dissident has over the years pleaded in the United States and Europe for the adoption of individual sanctions against Russian officials.
In his final words in court in April, Kara-Murza stood by his political work, including the criticism of the offensive in Ukraine that led to his conviction.
“Not only do I not repent for any of it — I am proud of it,” he said.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
