Condemning Russia's Unjust and Arbitrary Detention of Russian Opposition Leader Vladimir Kara-Murza

Floor Speech

I rise today in strong support of my resolution condemning Russia's unjust and arbitrary detention of Russian opposition leader, Vladimir Kara-Murza, who has stood up in the defense of democracy, the rule of law, and free and fair elections in Russia. This resolution comes at a significant time, as Vladimir Putin continues his unjust war of aggression against Ukraine and reprehensible crackdown on the Russian democratic opposition both at home and abroad.

First, I would like to thank my colleagues who have cosponsored this resolution and shown support for Vladimir Kara-Murza as he remains wrongfully detained in a Russian prison. This includes Representatives Tom Kean, Steve Cohen, and Joe Wilson.

I would also like to express my gratitude to the leadership of the committee, Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Meeks, and the entire Foreign Affairs Committee for their support of this resolution. I know the issue of political prisoners is a serious concern to the entire committee, and this resolution brings much to bear on the demonstrations of bipartisan support for standing in solidarity with Vladimir Kara-Murza and the thousands of political prisoners in Russia, Belarus, and around the world.

This resolution strongly condemns the wrongful detention of Vladimir Kara-Murza, and it calls for his immediate release. Vladimir is a champion of justice who fought tirelessly for democracy in Russia by Russians and for Russians. He did this for decades. As we have witnessed Vladimir Putin wage his war of aggression in Ukraine and the crackdown on free expression at home, in that context, Vladimir Kara- Murza stands out as a free and independent voice of truth exposing the Kremlin's lies and oppression.

During President Biden's State of the Union Address earlier this year, I had the honor of being joined by prodemocracy activist Evgenia Kara-Murza, Vladimir's wife, as my guest. Evgenia's resolve and courage was clear, and the stories she told me about Vladimir as well as her own personal courage only reaffirmed my commitment to advocate for his immediate release.

In a March 2022 speech before the Arizona House of Representatives, Vladimir Kara-Murza presented a defiant condemnation of Vladimir Putin's malign policies and corrupt leadership. Following this brave speech, Vladimir returned to Russia defiantly to continue his work to achieve democracy in Russia. He was subsequently arrested and wrongfully charged for speaking the truth.

Well ahead of his speech before the Arizona House of Representatives, the Kremlin targeted Vladimir for his resistance and opposition. In fact, in 2015, and again in 2017, he survived two assassination attempts where agents of the Russian Government attacked him. They attacked him with a military-grade poison.

Despite the threats against his life and his 2022 detention, Vladimir Kara-Murza continues to speak out from prison against the repression he and so many other Russians suffer for calling out Vladimir Putin's authoritarian actions and his illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.

Unfortunately, Vladimir Kara-Murza is not the only individual wrongfully detained in Russia. Paul Whelan, whose sister is a constituent and a tireless advocate on his behalf, has sat in a Russian prison cell for over 5 years as the Kremlin plays politics with his life. Journalist Evan Gershkovich was imprisoned over a year ago simply for doing his job. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reporter Alsu Kurmasheva continues to make her way through a sham trial today.

It is simple. Journalism is not a crime, and this resolution stands in solidarity with all those wrongfully detained in Russia and Belarus for speaking the truth and calls for their immediate release.

At the same time, remember those like Alexei Navalny, Boris Nemtsov, Sergei Magnitsky, and many others who have died at the hands of the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin's regime.

Ultimately, this resolution represents a strong, bipartisan show of support for Vladimir Kara-Murza and a redoubling of efforts to seek his immediate release.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

In closing, I again reflect on Vladimir Kara-Murza's work to achieve a true democracy in Russia, one made by Russians and built for Russians. In the face of death threats and physical attacks on his own well-being, Vladimir Kara-Murza remains a prominent figure in Russia's democracy movement. He has stood up for the truth, speaking against Vladimir Putin's war of aggression against Ukraine and the Kremlin's comprehensive crackdown on free expression.

As I have said before, Vladimir's story is not only one of defiance but one of Kremlin weakness. His story, his words, and his vision terrify and threaten the Putin regime, and they undermine the fictitious Kremlin narrative regarding Putin's invasion of Ukraine. That fact shows the true strength of Mr. Kara-Murza's moral conviction.

Finally, as this resolution makes its way through the House, we call on the Russian Government to immediately release Mr. Kara-Murza and all other Russian opposition leaders detained because of their opposition to the Putin regime.

At the same time, wrongfully detained Americans like Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, and Alsu Kurmasheva must also be released. Journalism is not a crime, and we will not rest until all wrongfully detained Americans have returned home. We want them to return home as soon as possible.

I thank the Foreign Affairs Committee again for considering this resolution and the bipartisan cosponsors who have made the resolution possible. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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