Kara-Murza: It feels completely surreal

Surrealistic. That's how Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza describes the feeling of being released from prison in Russia and finding himself in Germany. 16 human lives were saved, he says about the prisoner exchange.

» Updated: August 03 2024

» Published: August 02 2024

Kara-Murza: It feels completely surreal
Photo: Michael Probst/AP/TT

Kara-Murza is one of those who were part of the historic prisoner exchange between the USA, other Western countries, and Russia.

Until Thursday, when the prisoner exchange was realized, he was convinced that he would die in a Russian prison. He was serving a 25-year prison sentence for treason after condemning the Russian invasion war against Ukraine.

I didn't think I would ever see my wife again. I didn't think I would see my family, and this feels completely surreal, it feels like a movie, he says.

Kara-Murza also tells journalists in Germany, where he is now, that many Russians are "against Putin's war in Ukraine".

Kara-Murza is both a Russian and British citizen.

Another of the released prisoners, the liberal Russian opposition politician Ilja Jasjin, says that the prisoner exchange poses a difficult dilemma.

This encourages Putin to take more hostages, says Jasjin, who served an eight-and-a-half-year prison sentence for speaking critically of the war in Ukraine.

Ten Russians – including two children – were exchanged for 16 Westerners and Russian political prisoners. The prisoner exchange is welcomed in a statement by UN experts, who, however, emphasize that nearly 1,400 political prisoners are still sitting in Russian prisons. These must be released, demand the UN experts.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Norwegian Royal Marius Borg Høiby
1 MIN READ

Norwegian Royal Marius Borg Høiby Declines Police Questioning Over Leak Fears

Trump Dismisses NSA Chief General
1 MIN READ

Trump Dismisses NSA Chief General Timothy Haugh in Major Shake-Up

TikTok's Future in the US
3 MIN READ

TikTok's Future in the US Hangs in the Balance as Decision Looms

South Korea's Yoon Ousted After
2 MIN READ

South Korea's Yoon Ousted After Martial Law Controversy

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Norwegian Ship's Record Cocaine Haul Seized in South Korea

Putin's Envoy Sees Positive Shift
1 MIN READ

Putin's Envoy Sees Positive Shift in US-Russia Relations

Russian Drone Strikes Kill Four
1 MIN READ

Russian Drone Strikes Kill Four in Kharkiv, Injure Dozens Across Ukraine

Israel Updates Music Festival Death
2 MIN READ

Israel Updates Music Festival Death Toll to 378 After Investigation

Two Dead in Norwegian Plane
1 MIN READ

Two Dead in Norwegian Plane Crash Near Bergen Lake

Pentagon Probes Use of Signal
1 MIN READ

Pentagon Probes Use of Signal App for Discussing Yemen Attack Plans

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Frederiksen to USA: Annexation Not an Option, Let's Strengthen Arctic Security

Seoul Braces for Verdict as
3 MIN READ

Seoul Braces for Verdict as South Korea Awaits Yoon's Fate

Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Rises
2 MIN READ

Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Rises as Aid Efforts Intensify

Trump Fires Key Security Officials
2 MIN READ

Trump Fires Key Security Officials After Oval Office Meeting

Serbian Students Bike 130 Miles
1 MIN READ

Serbian Students Bike 130 Miles to EU Parliament Seeking Support

Iranian Judge Linked to 1988
1 MIN READ

Iranian Judge Linked to 1988 Executions Dies at 70

UN Alarmed by Reports of
1 MIN READ

UN Alarmed by Reports of Civilian Executions in Sudan

Mother and Daughter Found Shot
1 MIN READ

Mother and Daughter Found Shot Dead in Norway; Suspect Also Dead

Elon Musk to Stay as
1 MIN READ

Elon Musk to Stay as Advisor to Trump, Confirms JD Vance

Israeli Legal Experts Call for
1 MIN READ

Israeli Legal Experts Call for War Crimes Probe into Gaza Attack

EU Parliament Approves Delay in
1 MIN READ

EU Parliament Approves Delay in Key Sustainability Rules

Denmark Stands Firm on Sovereignty
2 MIN READ

Denmark Stands Firm on Sovereignty in Talks with US

Modi's New Law Fuels Discrimination
1 MIN READ

Modi's New Law Fuels Discrimination Concerns in India

Israel Probes Deadly Ambulance Shooting
1 MIN READ

Israel Probes Deadly Ambulance Shooting in Gaza Strip

California Wildfires Claim 30 Lives
1 MIN READ

California Wildfires Claim 30 Lives as Recovery Efforts Continue

Norovirus Hits Queen Mary 2
1 MIN READ

Norovirus Hits Queen Mary 2 Cruise, Over 240 Passengers Affected

Rubio Affirms US Commitment to
3 MIN READ

Rubio Affirms US Commitment to NATO, Calls for Increased Defense Spending

Bandidos European President Michael Rosenvold
1 MIN READ

Bandidos European President Michael Rosenvold Passes Away

Denmark Pledges Major Support Package
1 MIN READ

Denmark Pledges Major Support Package to Ukraine

Russia Not on US Tariff
2 MIN READ

Russia Not on US Tariff List Despite Broad Global Reach

Gaza Blockade Endangers Pregnant Women
1 MIN READ

Gaza Blockade Endangers Pregnant Women and Newborns, Says Save the Children

Tragedy Strikes as Boats Sink
1 MIN READ

Tragedy Strikes as Boats Sink Near Greece and Turkey, 16 Migrants Dead

Search for Missing MH370 Paused
1 MIN READ

Search for Missing MH370 Paused Until Year-End, Says Malaysia

17 Tesla Cars Set Ablaze
1 MIN READ

17 Tesla Cars Set Ablaze in Rome; Italy Boosts Security Measures

UN Envoy Urges Israel to
2 MIN READ

UN Envoy Urges Israel to Halt Strikes in Southern Syria

US Calls for UN Official's
1 MIN READ

US Calls for UN Official's Removal Over Alleged Anti-Semitic Views

Russian Envoy Dmitrijev Meets US
1 MIN READ

Russian Envoy Dmitrijev Meets US Officials in Washington for Talks

31 Killed in Israeli Air
1 MIN READ

31 Killed in Israeli Air Strike on Gaza School Shelter

Netanyahu's Visit to Hungary Sparks
3 MIN READ

Netanyahu's Visit to Hungary Sparks ICC Withdrawal Decision

Slovakia Approves Culling of 350
1 MIN READ

Slovakia Approves Culling of 350 Bears After Fatal Attack