Congressman Cohen Statement on the Transfer of Vladimir Kara-Murza

WASHINGTON -- On the imminent transfer of the imprisoned Russian politician Vladimir Kara-Murza to a Moscow detention facility, Congressman Steve Cohen, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly's Special Representative for Political Prisoners, issued the following statement:

"I have learned Vladimir will be transferred to Moscow any day now for an in-person appeal of his 25-year sentence in a Moscow court. This is an extremely dangerous time for Russian political prisoners, as they are held incommunicado and forcibly disappeared for a period of time without any oversight from non-Russian government persons.

"I understand that Vladimir does not want to be transferred and has threatened to go on a hunger strike. Vladimir already suffers from major ailments stemming from the previous attempts on his life. He has requested a remote hearing, and the Russian authorities should allow that, especially because the expected outcome of the hearing does not leave any room for hope. This is a dangerous time for Vladimir as the Russian authorities have not shown any reason for his transfer.

"It is because of these circumstances that I beseech the Russian authorities to honor Valdimir's wish of a remote hearing, and I call on my colleagues in the U.S. and around the world to keep a close eye on Vladimir's transfer. Our only hope is that the world's attention will ensure his survival."

Background:

Vladimir Kara-Murza is a Russian political activist, journalist, author, filmmaker, and political prisoner. In April 2022, Kara-Murza was arrested on false charges of disobeying police orders; later his arrest was extended after new charges of "discrediting" the military, and in October, new charges of treason were introduced against him. In April 2023, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

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