2/12/24: Putin’s Hostages: Bring Them Home, Week 7

On January 29th, the world heard from Vladimir Kara-Murza’s wife Evgenia that her husband had left the “strict regime” penal colony where he had been held since last September, and that there was no word as to where he was being taken. In circumstances eerily similar to the case of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, there has been no further news as to his whereabouts. But — noticeably and disturbingly unlike Navalny’s disappearance — Kara-Murza’s case does not seem to have drawn the public outrage I would have hoped to see, most likely because he is not as widely well-known as Navalny.

**The Kara-Murza Family: Once Happy, Now Torn Apart**

Under the circumstances, my report of February 5th on this upsetting development bears repeating:

“One of the few outspoken dissidents who have opted to remain in Russia despite the harsh punishments being meted out by the increasingly repressive Putin regime, Kara-Murza has been sentenced to 25 years for treason and ‘spreading false information’ about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. His only real crime? Speaking the truth. And now — as they did to Navalny — the authorities have removed Kara-Murza to . . . where? No one knows, because they are not required to inform the prisoner’s family or legal counsel. It took three weeks for Navalny to resurface, and when he did, he was in one of the harshest prison camps — IK-3, also referred to as ‘Polar Wolf’ — some 40 miles inside the Arctic Circle.

“During the period of Navalny’s ‘unavailability,’ I posted articles titled ‘Where Is Alexei Navalny?’ Do I now have to start a series for Vladimir Kara-Murza? I hope not; but if it becomes necessary, I assure you, I will.”

*. *. *

Vladimir Kara-Murza holds British citizenship, and presumably could be an asset to the Russians in the event of future discussions of a prisoner swap. But he is also still a Russian citizen, which the Kremlin could also use to its own advantage. He suffers from serious health problems, and desperately needs the world’s help to effectuate his release.

And so begins my weekly reminder that Vladimir Kara-Murza is still missing . . . an innocent man, a political pawn held HOSTAGE by the Putin regime.

Do not forget him, or any of the others like him. They are vital to the future of Russia.

Their power resides in their words . . .