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'Exposing Putin’s War Crimes: Meet Vladimir Kara-Murza, Exile and Hero.'

A brave Russian journalist, Vladimir Kara-Murza, was finally granted freedom yesterday in a major prisoner swap. Born in Russia but with a global conscience, this dissident risked it all to speak truth to power and expose the oppressive regime.

Published August 1, 2024 at 2:07pm by Eric Lagatta

One of Russia's most prominent dissidents, Vladimir Kara-Murza—a journalist and contributor to The Washington Post—has finally been released from Kremlin captivity as part of a prisoner exchange. This exchange marks a rare moment of cooperation between Russia and Western nations, who have been locked in geopolitical tension since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Here's what you need to know about Kara-Murza and his release:

Who is Vladimir Kara-Murza?

A Russian-born journalist with British citizenship, Vladimir Kara-Murza is known for his outspoken criticism of the Kremlin and Putin's regime. He has repeatedly condemned Russia's war in Ukraine, advocated for sanctions against Moscow, and accused Putin of operating a murderous dictatorship. His courageous stance led to him being awarded the Pulitzer Prize for commentary this year.

Why Was He Imprisoned?

Kara-Murza was arrested in 2022, two months after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, on charges of spreading false information about the Russian armed forces. He was later charged with treason over speeches he delivered about the war, and in one speech to the Arizona House of Representatives, he detailed how Putin was bombing Ukrainian homes, hospitals, and schools.

The journalist was sentenced to 25 years in prison and has been held in solitary confinement in a maximum-security prison in Siberia. He has also suffered from a nerve disorder after surviving two attempts on his life through poisoning. Despite the risks, Kara-Murza continued to speak out against Putin and anticipated facing additional charges in another criminal trial.

The Prisoner Exchange

On Thursday, in a secretive negotiation process, Russia agreed to release Kara-Murza and 15 other prisoners. In exchange, eight individuals held in the U.S., Germany, Norway, Slovenia, and Poland were returned to Russia. Among those released from Russian custody were Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva.

U.S. President Joe Biden marked the occasion, stating: "Their brutal ordeal is over, and they are free.”

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Read more: Who is Vladimir Kara-Murza? What we know about Russian-born dissident released in swap