Russian opposition leader apprehended just hours after appearing on a TV interview

Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian opposition-party politician, was reported arrested on Monday near his Moscow apartment, shortly after criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin on TV. (Alexander Nemenov/AFP via Getty Images)

Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian opposition lawmaker who appears to have survived two alleged poisoning attempts, was arrested near his Moscow apartment on Monday, just after denouncing Russian President Vladimir Putin on television.

Kara-Murza addressed the "regime of murderers" that purportedly controls Russia's government during an appearance on CNN+.

Kara-Murza also prophesied in the interview that Putin's unjustified invasion of Ukraine would eventually result in the demise of his leadership in Russia.

"I do not doubt that the Putin regime will come to an end due to the Ukraine war," Kara-Murza told CNN's streaming service. "Does not mean it will occur tomorrow.

"The two essential issues are time and cost, and by cost I do not mean monetary cost. I'm referring to the cost in human blood and human life, which has already been atrocious. However, the Putin government will come to an end as a result of this, and there will be a democratic Russia following Putin."

Kara-Murza later addressed the question of whether he fears for his own life.

"However, I'm speaking with you now from Moscow," Kara-Murza explained. "As a matter of fact, I am a Russian politician. I am required to be in Russia. It is my native land. The greatest present we could give the Kremlin — those of us who oppose Putin's rule — would be to give up and flee. That is all they require of us."

Kara-Murza quickly added, "You cannot sit in a remote, safe location and direct people to go out and demonstrate."

Kara-Murza was arrested shortly after the interview outside his apartment.

According to Bill Browder, a hedge fund manager and Kara-Murza partner, Kara-Murza is being kept at a "notorious" institution for "illegal detentions" and does not have access to his attorney.

Kara-Murza, who served as a pallbearer at the late Senator John McCain's 2018 funeral, worked closely with the Arizona Republican on various Russia-related matters.

Publish : 2022-04-12 11:26:00

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