Latvian authorities have included in their ‘blacklist’ ten Russian citizens »co-responsible for the persecution» against Vladimir Kara Murza, a prominent journalist and Kremlin opponent who was sentenced on Monday to 25 years in prison for several crimes, including high treason.
»Vladimir Kara Murza is one of the most prominent Russian opposition politicians, a human rights activist (…) and a long-time critic of Russia’s ruling regime,» the Latvian Foreign Ministry stressed in a statement denouncing the conviction.
For Riga, this sentence to Kara Murza should not be interpreted as an isolated event, as since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Kremlin has intensified its control over the public and information space in the country. »Repressive legislation is being strengthened and punishing any public activity critical of the Kremlin’s policies,» Latvian diplomacy has denounced.
That is why, »in view of the absurd and inhuman trial against Vladimir Kara Murza», the Latvian Foreign Ministry has declared ten other Russian citizens ‘persona non grata’, prohibiting them from entering Latvian territory.
»I condemn the harsh and unjust sentence against prominent Russian opposition politician Kara Murza handed down by a Russian court on Monday. I have decided to impose a travel ban on ten Russian persons who are complicit in this bogus case,» Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics said on his Twitter profile, where he urged the European Union to impose sanctions.
Kara Murza, who was already considered by Russian authorities as a foreign agent, has been convicted of treason, spreading false information about the Armed Forces and cooperation with an undesirable organization. The court also banned him from practicing journalism for seven years, although his defense has announced that it will appeal the sentence.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
