Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was released from a Siberian prison in a major exchange between Western countries and Moscow, recently spoke in Berlin about his experiences and his hopes for Russia’s future. Kara-Murza described the surreal feeling of being released after spending two and a half years in solitary confinement, only speaking to his family a few times.
He emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes made both in Russia and the West in the 1990s, calling for a moral catharsis within Russia and greater integration of a democratic Russia with Europe. Kara-Murza believes that Russia can remain unified by allowing more autonomy for ethnic minorities, promoting federalism, and ending the centralization of power.
When asked about Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kara-Murza expressed a desire to see him held accountable for his actions, stating that death would be too lenient a punishment. He believes that everyone has a role to play in building a free Russia, emphasizing the need for dialogue, convincing others, and preserving connections to Russian figures like Boris Nemtsov and Alexei Navalny.
Despite his ordeal, Kara-Murza remains optimistic about the future of Russia and is determined to work towards rebuilding the country from exile. He dreams of one day visiting the city of Tomsk, where he was imprisoned, and believes that truth and hope will ultimately prevail.
Source
Photo credit www.euronews.com
