Britain summoned Russian Ambassador to London Andrey Kelin after the Moscow authorities handed Vladimir Kara-Murza a 25-year sentence in a strict regime prison. Kara-Murza holds both Russian and British citizenship, and the case is treated in Russia as part of the ongoing designation of him as a foreign agent in his homeland. A statement from the UK government laid out these details, underscoring the diplomatic note that the British government intended to convey.
The British Foreign Office criticized the court outcome, arguing that the decision appeared incompatible with Russia’s commitments to human rights as seen by London. British officials stressed the need for accountability in the process surrounding Kara-Murza’s arrest and the legal steps that led to the conviction, signaling that the dispute extends beyond a single verdict to broader questions about civil freedoms and political prosecutions.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly stated that the United Kingdom would continue to stand with Kara-Murza’s family, reiterating London’s intent to explore further measures to ensure that those involved in the arrest and prosecution are held to account according to the law and international standards. The message reflected a consistent stance from the UK on due process, transparency in legal proceedings, and the welfare of those affected by politically charged cases.
On the day in question, April 17, the Moscow City Court formally sentenced Kara-Murza to 25 years in a strict-regime penal facility, on multiple charges that included treason, disseminating what the authorities described as fake information about the Russian armed forces, and affiliation with an organization deemed undesirable. The court’s decision was delivered after a judicial process that activists say was neither open nor fully reflective of international norms for fair trial, with access restricted from the outset.
Prior to the ruling, prosecutors had advocated for a 25-year term, aligning with the severity of the charges presented. Hearings on Kara-Murza’s case were conducted behind closed doors in the Moscow City Court beginning March 6, as officials cited security and secrecy considerations. Kara-Murza himself did not acknowledge guilt, maintaining a stance of denial throughout the proceedings, a position that has fed into a broader international discussion about the use of legal instruments to suppress political dissent and critical reporting in the country.