Two Russian dissidents, Vladimir Kara-Murza and Ilya Yashin, have publicly stated they refused to sign a petition for mercy to Russian President Vladimir Putin during a recent prisoner swap. At a news conference in Germany, they emphasized that they did not admit guilt or consent to their removal from Russia, expressing hopes of returning home in the future.
Kara-Murza noted the exchange had saved “16 human lives,” highlighting his fear of dying in prison. Both men asserted that a significant number of Russians oppose Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. The swap, which involved 24 individuals across seven countries, also included the release of U.S. journalist Evan Gerschkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan.
Among those freed by Western nations was Vadim Krasikov, a convicted assassin serving a life sentence in Germany. Following their release, Kara-Murza, Yashin, and fellow dissident Andrei Pivovarov pledged to advocate for a “free” Russia and the rights of political prisoners.
Russian rights organization Memorial reports that hundreds of political prisoners currently languish in Russian prisons. Kara-Murza shared the disbelief he felt upon being reunited with his family, describing the experience as surreal.
However, Yashin cautioned that the exchange was merely a “drop in the ocean,” as countless innocent people remain imprisoned under brutal conditions in Russia. They also honored Alexei Navalny, a vocal Putin critic who tragically died in prison earlier this year, with Yashin holding Putin directly responsible for his death. Kara-Murza urged democratic nations to recognize that Russia and Putin are not synonymous.
