On July 4, 2024, Russian authorities abruptly transferred Vladimir Kara-Murza from a penal colony to the Regional Hospital No. 11 of the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) in the Omsk Region. The Russian opposition politician is serving a 25-year prison sentence for criticizing Putin’s war in Ukraine.
Despite continuous attempts, his lawyers, who flew from Moscow, have been denied access to their client. Upon arriving at the medical facility, Kara-Murza’s lawyers were initially told that he had not been transferred there. His presence was later confirmed, but as this occurred outside of office hours, the lawyers were instructed to return the following day. On July 5, while seeking to arrange a meeting, the lawyers were informed that Kara-Murza had not yet been examined by medical staff and access remained denied. They were compelled to wait until the end of the working day without being able to verify Kara-Murza’s condition. With correctional institutions closed on weekends, the lawyers were effectively prevented from visiting Kara-Murza and confirming his well-being before the weekend.
The denial of access to legal representation is a violation of Kara-Murza’s rights and raises grave concerns about his well-being and the reasons behind his transfer. This situation is especially troubling in light of Mr. Kara-Murza’s serious medical condition, polyneuropathy, caused by two assassination attempts and inadequate care provided to him while in prison. Under Russian law, Kara-Murza’s polyneuropathy is listed among the diseases that should preclude an individual from serving a prison sentence, making the refusal to allow access to his attorneys especially alarming.
Free Russia Foundation demands that the Russian authorities grant Kara-Murza’s attorneys immediate access to their client as mandated by the law.
Free Russia Foundation urges the international community to join in pressuring the Russian government to respect Kara-Murza’s rights, provide transparency regarding his situation, and grant his lawyers immediate access.
We call on the Russian authorities to take swift action to ensure that Kara-Murza receives the necessary medical care and that his lawyers are allowed unhindered access to assess his condition. The world is watching this situation closely, and the consequences of inaction could be dire.