Russian prosecutors
are seeking a maximum
25 year
sentence for human rights advocate
Vladimir Kara-Murza.
Russian state media
is reporting Kara-Murza,
a top Putin critic who has survived
two poisonings, was arrested
nearly one year ago
today after criticizing Russia's
invasion of Ukraine.
And he has been imprisoned
ever since
OUTFRONT now
with us, Evgeny Kara-Murza,
the wife of Lady Mercato.
More so.
Evgenia,
thank you so much for joining us.
You called this sentence of 25 years
in prison
a high recognition
of the effectiveness of Vladimir's work
Vladimir work
and that is legitimate Kara-Murza
you're talking about your husband
speaking out against the Kremlin
and this war.
This is a sentence out of fear, you say.
What is it
that you believe the regime fears?
Good evening, Brianna.
Thank you very much for inviting me here.
Well, Putin's regime is built on lies.
And the thing it
is the most is the truth.
And hence total censorship of the media.
Hence
the use of repression
against three voices
that keep telling the truth
despite all odds.
And they refuse to be intimidated.
And hence also the betraying of anyone
who dares oppose the official narrative.
As a criminal.
Like in
dozens and dozens of cases in Russia,
a spy like in the case of Evan Kovic
or a traitor,
like in the case of my husband,
actually, while asking for a 25
prison sentence for Vladimir.
Prosecutor Lukyanov
made a very revealing statement
talking about Vladimir.
He said,
This is our enemy who must be punished.
So that tells me more about what
this regime
about how this regime sees Vladimir.
It says, my husband
as its personal enemy.
That threatens its existence.
And I understand why.
Because for years
my husband has been involved
in the advocacy
for the introduction
of targeted Magnitsky sanctions.
Against human rights violators.
The sanctions that include
asset freezes and visa bans.
And Russian
officials have been very much affected
by these sanctions.
The fact that this regime sees my husband
as an enemy of personal enemy is proven
by the presence
of three people on the Magnitsky list.
In Vladimir Case,
one of whom is actually the judge.
This is Sergei.
Put a sort of who sent Sergei
Magnitsky in 2008 to unlawful detention
as a result of which Sergei died.
This is the same man who is now trying
my husband.
He's been on the Magnitsky list
for years.
Can I ask you, Yevgeny,
because the Kremlin imposed
these instruments of fear,
as you call them,
as warnings really for other people,
including journalists.
I mean, just look at Evan Kovic
and now you're seeing other journalists
leaving the country.
Are you worried that
at least in the short term,
they may be effective in suppressing
opposition and the truth
They're doing everything to
suppress their position
and to suppress the truth in the country.
Since last February, over
200,000 media resources, online
media resources
have been blocked in the country.
All social media platforms
have been blocked in the country.
The remaining three independent
media were blocked.
And I'm talking about the echo of Moscow
radio station TV and Novaya Gazeta.
But despite
all this, Russia placed
second on the back.
The number of VPN services
installed last year around the world
which means that there is a high demand
for independent
information in the country.
People are trying to get
to independent information
and to circumvent the blockade
Yeah,
this is why it is important to support
the work of journalists,
independent journalists
who are creating content to
counter propaganda.