In a defiant message to the Kremlin, Vladimir Kara-Murza, one of Russia’s most outspoken critics, has vowed to return to his homeland after being freed in a dramatic prisoner swap. Speaking in an exclusive interview with the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, Kara-Murza revealed that despite his 25-year sentence for high treason, he remains determined to continue his fight against the Russian regime.
Kara-Murza, who holds dual British-Russian citizenship, was released last month in what has been described as the largest prisoner exchange since the Cold War. The dissident, along with 23 others, was flown from a high-security Siberian prison to Ankara, Turkey. At the moment of his release, he believed he was being led to his execution, but soon realized he was part of the swap.
In his first interview since reuniting with his wife Evgenia in Europe, Kara-Murza recounted a chilling exchange with a Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officer aboard the plane. “As we took off from Moscow, the officer told me, ‘This is the last time you’ll see your motherland.’ I just laughed and said, ‘I know I’ll be back much sooner than you think.'”
Kara-Murza’s imprisonment in solitary confinement was a direct result of his outspoken criticism of the Kremlin and his calls for Western governments to impose sanctions on Russia. His 25-year sentence in April 2023 marked one of the harshest penalties levied against a political dissident in recent Russian history.
Despite the risks, Kara-Murza is unwavering in his commitment to return to Russia. “This regime will not last forever,” he told the BBC, expressing hope for the future of his country. His determination, courage, and defiance have cemented his role as one of the Kremlin’s most vocal adversaries.
The full interview with Vladimir and Evgenia Kara-Murza will air on Sunday, offering deeper insights into his time in prison, his thoughts on the Russian political landscape, and his bold plans for the future.
