Putin Critic Vladimir Kara-Murza Survives Solitary Confinement

Vladimir Kara-Murza, a prominent Russian opposition figure and vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin, has opened up about the psychological torment he faced during his 11 months in solitary confinement. In a recent interview, he recounted his fears of dying in a Siberian prison cell, expressing that he believed he would not survive his harsh imprisonment. Kara-Murza, who was sentenced to 25 years for treason after opposing the war in Ukraine, described the extreme isolation he endured, having limited contact with his family—only speaking to his wife once and his children twice during his incarceration. His wife, Evgenia Kara-Murza, who has been an ardent advocate for his release, shared her relief at his return, stating that the constant fear of his potential execution had been overwhelming. Kara-Murza recounted the moment he realized he was being transferred to Moscow, feeling a mix of dread and hope as he saw familiar faces among the guards. He emphasized that while physical torture is prevalent in Russian prisons, the enforced solitude experienced by high-profile political prisoners is equally devastating, likening it to a form of psychological torture. Kara-Murza described the brutal conditions of his confinement, where he was confined to a small cell with minimal interaction and only brief access to writing materials. His wife echoed his sentiments, affirming their commitment to continue fighting against the oppressive regime, stating, “The fight continues. We’re going to have to do everything we can to bring down this regime and this evil.”