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Vladimir Kara-Murza, facing a grim lineup of guards at a Moscow prison, was enveloped in confusion regarding his uncertain future. He had endured over two years of incarceration, and in the days leading up to August 1, anxiety gripped him as he pondered whether he would be executed or receive an extension of the 25-year sentence already imposed on him for treason and disseminating false information.
The clarity of his situation struck him only once he was ushered onto a coach bus, where dim lighting revealed familiar faces among the other passengers. “In every row, I see more men in black balaclavas covering their faces … but next to each of them, I saw a friend, a colleague, a fellow political prisoner,” Kara-Murza recounted in an interview with CBC News, reflecting on the moment that shattered his doubt. “That was the moment I realized what was going on, because there could only be one reason why all of us would be on the same bus together.”
This group was being transferred to an airport, marking the beginning of a significant prisoner exchange between Russia and Western nations, the largest since the Cold War.
Historic Prisoner Swap
On August 1, following extensive international negotiations involving the United States, Germany, and Poland, Kara-Murza was released from prison alongside 15 others, including Paul Whelan, a Canadian-U.S. citizen, and Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal. In return, Russia acquired eight of its citizens who were imprisoned abroad, notably including Vadim Krasikov, a hitman involved in a high-profile assassination in Berlin.
Kara-Murza, who also holds British citizenship and was granted honorary Canadian citizenship while detained, is currently traveling across Europe, engaging with lawmakers and supporters. He recently met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, acknowledging his pivotal role in the negotiations for the exchange.
In a detailed discussion in Berlin, Kara-Murza recounted the traumatic events of his arrest, months of solitary confinement, and the surreal experience of newfound freedom.
Freed Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza describes dramatic prisoner exchange
WATCH | Prisoners were in the dark about swap until final moments:
Kremlin Target
Long before its brutality became clear, Kara-Murza was a prominent adversary of the Kremlin, vocal in his criticisms and advocacy for sanctions against Russian human rights violators. An author and journalist, he engaged with Western politicians and was recognized for his courage, even after surviving two poisoning attempts.
His steadfast commitment to his principles led him back to Moscow several times, including shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “How could I call on my fellow Russian citizens to stand up and resist Putin’s dictatorship if I didn’t do it myself?” he pondered, justifying his risky decisions.
Following his arrest on April 11, 2022, Kara-Murza faced a trial that he likened to Stalinist show trials, resulting in a conviction for treason. He was sentenced to 25 years and endured 11 months in solitary confinement within a Siberian facility, where he experienced crippling isolation and mental strain.
He described conditions in the confinement cell as severely limiting, having little space and restricted access to basic amenities. “It’s very difficult to stay sane [in those circumstances],” he said, sharing that the isolation led him to lose touch with reality over time.
Released Russian opposition activist describes solitary confinement in Siberia
WATCH | Kara-Murza describes tedium of solitary confinement:
To maintain some mental engagement, he ordered a Spanish textbook using a small amount of money in a personal prison account, striving against feelings of wasted time and stagnation. “One of the worst and most difficult things in prison is this constant feeling that you are just throwing away the precious time that you have in your life, because you do nothing,” he reflected.
A Sudden, Unexplained Move
On July 23, Kara-Murza was unexpectedly presented with a request to petition for clemency from President Putin, which he refused. Days later, he was abruptly awakened at 3 a.m. by officials who instructed him to dress. “I was absolutely certain that I was going to be let out and be executed,” he stated, but he found himself en route to an airport instead.
Upon arrival, Kara-Murza’s previous assumptions about facing a new court case were dashed, leading to further confusion and uncertainty regarding his fate. The chain of events leading up to the well-coordinated prisoner exchange remained undisclosed until the last moment.
When he donned civilian clothing under the direction of guards, his attire consisted of a nightshirt and flip-flops, a stark reminder of his harsh reality. “This is how I met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz later that day: in my flip-flops along with my nightshirt,” he recounted, reflecting on the absurdity of the situation.
As he was transported with fellow prisoners through Moscow, he embraced each sight of the city, understanding he may not return for a long time.
Oval Office on the Line
Once on the plane, the exchanged prisoners were eager for clarity, watching the flight map closely. Upon landing in Ankara, they underwent identity verification by German agents due to changes in appearance caused by prolonged imprisonment.
Following identification, Kara-Murza was treated to a spread of food and was approached by a woman from the U.S. Embassy. “She handed me the phone and she said, ‘The president of the United States is on the line, waiting to speak to you,'” he recalled, overwhelmed as he connected with President Joe Biden, who was with Kara-Murza’s family.
Freed political prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza on getting a call from the White House
WATCH | A mysterious flight and then a call from the U.S. president:
Kara-Murza expressed the indescribable emotions he felt upon hearing familiar voices after such an arduous ordeal.
Surreal Freedom
Since his release, Kara-Murza has reunited with his family in the U.S. and has actively met with global leaders to promote his cause. He plans to return to Canada to express his gratitude for being named an honorary citizen.
“I accept it not for myself, but on behalf of all of those people in Russia … who are unjustly imprisoned by Vladimir Putin’s regime for standing against the war in Ukraine,” he stated, reinforcing his commitment to advocacy work.
Engaged with the Free Russian Foundation, an organization focused on advocating for democratic transition in Russia, Kara-Murza feels the weight of his past but acknowledges the surreal nature of his freedom. “It still feels like I’m watching this from the outside,” he admitted. “I was convinced that I was going to die in that Siberian prison.”
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