By V.E.K.Madhushani, Jadetimes News
Refuse to Admit Guilt or Consent to Exile, Vow to Return to Russia
Two prominent Russian dissidents, released in a prisoner swap on Thursday, have revealed that they refused to sign a petition for mercy to be sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin as requested by prison officials.
During a news conference in Germany, Vladimir Kara Murza and Ilya Yashin stated they neither admitted guilt nor consented to their removal, and vowed to return to Russia one day. Kara Murza emphasized that the deal saved "16 human lives" and admitted he had been convinced he would die in prison.
The exchange, which involved 24 individuals jailed in seven different countries, saw the release of US journalist Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan by Russia. In return, Western nations released several Russians, including convicted assassin Vadim Krasikov, who had been serving a life sentence in Germany for the murder of a Georgian born Chechen dissident in a Berlin park.
On Friday, Kara Murza, Yashin, and a third dissident, Andrei Pivovarov, pledged to continue working towards a "free" Russia and to advocate for the political prisoners still detained there.
Yashin expressed "conflicting feelings" about the swap. While grateful for those who worked to secure his release, his immediate desire upon arriving in Germany was to return to Russia. He remarked that it was "much more comfortable" for Putin to have opposition figures in exile rather than in prison, as the latter holds more significant weight.
"I never imagined myself outside Russia," Yashin said. "I am eternally grateful for their help. But I am a guest here and my main wish is to return to Russia." He added, "I'm not the only one who demanded not to be sent into exile. but no one asked our opinion."
However, Yashin acknowledged that returning to Russia could complicate negotiations for the release of other political prisoners and could increase criticism of the German government, which faced an "ethical dilemma" in releasing Krasikov.
According to Russian rights group Memorial, hundreds of political prisoners are currently detained in Russia. Pivovarov argued that the latest swap provided a "sign of light" for them, indicating that release was possible. Meanwhile, Kara Murza described the exchange as a "drop in the ocean," given the vast number of innocent people held in torturous conditions.
Kara Murza, a dual Russian and British citizen, shared that he had been held in solitary confinement for over 10 months and had spoken to his wife only once during his two and a half year imprisonment. "I did not believe I would ever see my wife again," he recalled. "I did not believe I'd ever see my family again, and this feels really surreal. This feels like a film."
The political activist recounted that he initially thought he might be shot on the day of his release, only realizing the truth when he saw the other imprisoned dissidents. On the plane out of Russia, a government agent informed him it was the last time he would see his homeland. Kara Murza responded, "I know that I will be back in my home country."
Sasha Skochilenko, another freed dissident and artist, told Newshour that she also believed she was going to be killed on the day of her release. In a state of "shock" and "on adrenaline," she expressed immense relief and joy, saying, "I'm so glad, I'm so happy, and I'm so grateful. I'm finally with my beloved family, with my girlfriend, my fiancée. We're going to marry. We finally can do it in Germany. This is the happiest day of my life."
The freed dissidents paid tribute to Alexei Navalny, a leading critic of Putin who died in prison in February after Russian officials claimed he became unwell. The White House had indicated that Navalny was initially included in the deal. Yashin said, "The fact that Alexei Navalny is not with us is a crime committed by Putin, who bears direct responsibility for his murder."
Kara-Murza emphasized that there is a distinction between Russia and Putin. "I will absolutely carry on," he declared. "I care about my country and I think Russia deserves better than a corrupt KGB dictator. I want to ensure that Russia becomes... a normal, modern, democratic country."
