It’s not great news, but it’s not the worst news either. In fact, it may as well be no news, for all the credible information anyone can squeeze out of the Russian authorities.

But at least he is still alive.

Or he was, as of yesterday.

Finally — after mysteriously being transferred from his solitary “punishment” cell in Penal Colony IK-6 to the prison’s hospital, and being held incommunicado for nearly a week — Vladimir Kara-Murza was allowed a visit from one of the members of his legal team yesterday. The lawyer’s comment on Kara-Murza’s physical condition: “Relatively stable.” Attorney Vadim Prokhorov added that “the exaсt reasons for the examination at the hospital are being clarified.” [AP, July 10, 2024.]

What the hell does that even mean??!!! Kara-Murza’s wife, Evgenia, was not much clearer when she posted on X that her husband was “alive and as well as can be expected.” [Id.]

These are the words of people afraid to say anything more — if indeed they even know more. Why is Evgenia Kara-Murza not being told what is wrong with her husband, or what is being done for him? Why was he kept out of sight for six days? What is going on behind the iron curtain of secrecy that is the new Russia?

We know that Vladimir Kara-Murza has been ill since he was twice poisoned (in 2015 and 2017), apparently with the Russian nerve agent Novichok. And we know that since he has been confined in IK-6, he has been denied proper care and treatment for his condition.

We also know that the same circumstances existed in the case of the late Alexei Navalny. We can only wait for further news, while we hope and pray that this will not be a case of “deja vu all over again.”

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
7/11/24