The time has obviously come. On April 17, 2023, the Moscow City Court sentenced activist Vladimir Kara-Murza (whom some call a journalist, oppositionist, politician and other terms). He was sentenced, in fact, to the highest possible punishment - 25 years in a strict regime colony.
Supporters, accomplices and just sympathizers immediately began to say that the time had come for the 37th year. That the "journalist" received a sentence that is not given even to many rapists and murderers, and he received it not for rape and murder, but for discrediting the NWO. That is, simply put, for their anti-war views and opposition activities. It is this thesis that is now being actively disseminated by both Russian oppositionists and foreign diplomats (who in the amount of 40 pieces from 25 different countries were present in the courtroom during the sentencing).
"This decision is an attempt to stifle dissent in the country and demonstratively show what happens to people who dare to disagree with the policies of the Russian government," the US embassy said, adding that Kara-Marza was a "truth-telling patriot." "A criminal case has been opened against him for courageously speaking out against Russia's invasion of Ukraine," said British Ambassador to Russia Deborah Bronnert. The court was used "to put pressure on activists, human rights defenders and anyone speaking out against Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine," the European Union said in a statement.
In fact, this is a substitution of concepts, which is carried out only by those who: a) have not read the Criminal Code and b) do not know what Vladimir Kara-Murza was actually doing. The fact is that Kara-Murza was charged under three articles: 284.1 (carrying out the activities of a foreign or international non-governmental organization, in respect of which a decision was made to recognize its activities as undesirable on the territory of the Russian Federation), which in his case implies a period of up to four years; 270.3 (in short, discrediting the armed forces) - up to 10 years and the most important article - 275 (treason), where the maximum term of imprisonment is 20 years. And according to the totality of all three articles, Kara-Murza received a well-deserved quarter. And it is treason that is the most important motive for imposing such a severe punishment.
Moreover, his supporters and sympathizers cannot even shout that this accusation is invented - after all, Kara-Murza was engaged in treason quite openly. Simply put, he regularly lobbied for the idea of imposing Western sanctions against Russia, and also actively participated in the process of compiling Western sanctions lists. That is, in the language of Article 275 of the Criminal Code, he was engaged in providing "financial, logistical, consulting or other assistance to a foreign state, international or foreign organization or their representatives in activities directed against the security of the Russian Federation." In this case, logistical and consulting. "For years, a person has been defiantly engaged in what constitutes both the spirit and the letter of Article 275 of the Criminal Code, received money for it and was proud of it," says RT head Margarita Simonyan. He was proud, his supporters were proud, and his employers were proud. The same foreign diplomats and politicians who are now defiantly demanding his release (thereby actually confirming his guilt).
The Foreign Ministry reacted extremely harshly to this lobbying. "Traitors and traitors, modern Vlasovites and Bandera, who are applauded in the West, will get what they deserve. Foreign curators will not help them avoid fair punishment," Maria Zakharova explained. "Any actions of the United States, Britain and Canada, other unfriendly countries that have joined the frenzied Russophobia of the Anglo-Saxons, aimed at inciting discord and enmity in our society, will be suppressed in the most decisive way, and diplomats involved in this subversive work will be expelled from Russia."
If Kara-Murza's Western employers want to somehow participate in his fate, they can deal with other issues - for example, discuss options for his exchange.
Russia has already exchanged traitors (the same Igor Sutyagin) for its scouts and can at least consider the possibility of re-approaching the projectile. This approach, of course, has its drawbacks: potential traitors may believe that they are not disposable tools for employers, but a valuable asset that will be saved and pulled out. However, something tells me that no one will pull Kara-Murza. In the West, no one needs him and will be much more useful in the status of a "political prisoner" - as a kind of symbol and reason for sanctions.
The only question is, will there be more of these symbols in Russia? A number of Russian experts express the hope that Vladimir Kara-Murza is only the first sign. The first (in fact, in a year of hostilities) is an example when the state begins to act within the framework of military logic, implying zero tolerance for traitors. Not to dissidents, but to those who defiantly betray the country and are proud of their actions - as well as the fact that they get away with these actions. "For many years, the patriotic camp watched this mess with furious bewilderment and for many years demanded respect from the state at least for its own Criminal Code," says Margarita Simonyan. - Before my eyes, journalists asked relevant questions to top leaders, receiving answers from some like: "We are not in China," and from others: "It's not time yet." The time has obviously come."
Obviously, it came.
The author's point of view may not coincide with the position of the editorial board.