Republican Congressman Joe Wilson tweeted on Wednesday that the imprisonment of Russian pro-democracy activist Vladimir Kara-Murza is a personal vendetta by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Wilson also stated that he is joining Democrat Steve Cohen in calling for Secretary of State Antony Blinken to secure Kara-Murza’s immediate release, especially given his deteriorating health.
Kara-Murza, a U.S. resident and vocal critic of the Kremlin, has been imprisoned twice in recent years after suffering mysterious illnesses that many believe were poisoning attempts. His most recent arrest came in January 2021, when he was detained for alleged involvement in unauthorized protests.
Critics say that Kara-Murza’s imprisonment is part of a broader crackdown by Putin against dissenting voices within Russia. The country has seen increasing restrictions on free speech and political opposition since Putin returned to power as president in 2012.
The letter from Wilson and Cohen argues that the U.S. has a responsibility to support democratic values around the world and protect those who stand up for them. It also points out that Kara-Murza’s case is not an isolated incident – other activists have faced similar treatment at the hands of Putin’s regime.
The State Department has yet to respond publicly to the letter or offer any comment on Kara-Murza’s case specifically.
It remains to be seen whether Blinken will take action on behalf of Kara-Murza or make any public statements about his imprisonment. However, this tweet from Wilson adds another voice to those calling attention to what they see as an injustice perpetrated by Putin’s government against one of its citizens who dared speak out against it.