Well, well, well, it looks like we’ve got ourselves a real life Kafka novel unfolding in Russia! Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Putin critic, has just been sentenced to 25 years in a high-security penal colony on charges of treason. That’s right, folks, 25 years! Even murderers receive shorter prison terms in Russia. It’s safe to say that Mr. Kara-Murza’s supporters are feeling the chill of Stalin’s terror in the air.
And if you thought that was bad enough, think again. This verdict will likely send a message to all the other anti-Kremlin activists out there who are still fighting against the war in Ukraine. You spread dissent, and the Kremlin’s gonna clamp down on you like nobody’s business. Just ask Ilya Yashin, who was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison last year for “spreading false information” about Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Apparently, the authorities didn’t present a shred of evidence to support the treason charge, which is flabbergasting in itself. It seems like Mr. Kara-Murza’s conviction was based solely on the fact that he criticized Putin’s invasion of Ukraine during speeches he gave in the United States and Europe. I mean, talk about thin skin.
But let’s not get bogged down by the seriousness of this situation. Let’s focus on the fact that Mr. Kara-Murza’s mother said she feels like she woke up in a Kafka novel. I’m pretty sure that’s the first time someone has used the word Kafka as an adjective. Hats off to you, Yelena Gordon, for the creativity.
And if you needed any more proof that this verdict is a travesty of justice, just take a look at the international condemnation it’s drawn. The United Nations human rights office called it “a blow to the rule of law.” Human Rights Watch called it “a travesty of justice.” Even the U.S. State Department condemned it as part of the Russian government’s “escalating campaign of repression.” Ouch, Putin, you’re really making some enemies.
In his final address to the court, Mr. Kara-Murza likened the current climate in Russia to the terror of the Stalin era. Talk about a mic drop moment. We’re hoping that the darkness over Russia will dissipate soon, and that a war will be called a war, and a usurper a usurper. But until then, we can only hope that justice will prevail and that Mr. Kara-Murza’s verdict will be appealed. Stay tuned, folks!

Serious News: nytimes