Senators from both sides of the aisle, including @SenatorCardin and @SenatorWicker, have come together to demand the immediate release of Russian democratic opposition leader @vkaramurza. Kara-Murza has been detained by the Kremlin and is currently undergoing a sham trial.
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Kara-Murza, a two-time survivor of poisoning by the Kremlin, has been a vocal advocate for democracy and human rights in Russia. His continued detention is a grave injustice and a violation of basic human rights.
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The bipartisan resolution condemns Russia's unjust and arbitrary detention of Kara-Murza and calls for his immediate release, as well as the release of other political prisoners. It also urges all Russian citizens to condemn Russia's illegal and unjust invasion of Ukraine.
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Congress calls on @POTUS to lead the free world in working tirelessly for the release of political prisoners in Russia and increasing support for those advocating for democracy, independent media, and civil society.
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1/4. On March 21, 2023, the Russian Investigative Committee carried out extensive searches in the offices and homes of numerous employees at Memorial NGO in Moscow, a respected human rights organization.
2/4. Memorial documented Soviet repressions and human rights abuses in modern Russia and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022. Founded in the late 1980s, it is one of Russia's most highly regarded non-governmental organizations.
3/4. However, Memorial has been accused of glorification of Nazism by investigators due to three names that appear in its database of Soviet victims of political repression, which contains information on over 4 million individuals.
Vladimir Kara-Murza: "I do not understand the accusation, and I plead not guilty."
The trial of @vkaramurza, an opposition politician, journalist, and historian, began on March 13, 2023, in Moscow amidst tight security measures. 1/
The politician faces charges under 3 articles, including high treason, and could potentially receive a prison sentence of up to 25 years. All hearings related to the Kara-Murza case will take place behind closed doors, with journalists and diplomats being barred from the court
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In the first hearing, Vadim Prokhorov, Kara-Murza's lawyer, challenged Judge Sergei Podoprigorov on the basis that he was on the #Magnitsky List and therefore might not be objective. However, Mr. Kara-Murza himself had promoted this list in 2012.
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