Three prominent Russian Kremlin critics, now in Germany after a prisoner exchange, thanked the German government during their first public appearance. Opposition figure Ilya Yashin stated he was exchanged against his will.
Vladimir Kara-Murza described his feelings as surreal, like a film, about 24 hours after his release. Along with fellow opposition figures Ilya Yashin and Andrei Pivovarov, he arrived in Germany yesterday as part of the prisoner exchange. Today, they faced the press in Bonn.
All three expressed gratitude to the German government. In democracies, decisions are not easy because human life holds the highest value in civilized societies, said Kara-Murza. “Simple decisions exist only in dictatorships.” Kara-Murza also made it clear that he will continue his resistance against Russian President Vladimir Putin. He called Putin “a dictator, a usurper, and a murderer,” holding him responsible for the death of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny in Russian custody and the deaths of numerous Ukrainian children.
Personal thanks to Chancellor Scholz
Opposition figure Yashin revealed that he personally thanked Chancellor Olaf Scholz for the difficult decision to hand over convicted murderer Vadim Krasikov to secure the release of Putin’s opponents. Yashin emphasized that he was exchanged against his will. His request to remain in his homeland was ignored by the penal system, which he called a violation of the law.
Yashin pointed out that other seriously ill individuals should have been exchanged instead. Kara-Murza shared that he refused to request clemency from Putin, calling him a murderer and war criminal before being taken away at night. “I thought I was going to be shot. I was sure I would die in Putin’s prison.”
Concerns about future detentions
Despite their gratitude, Yashin warned that the exchange could lead to more arbitrary detentions in Russia. “It encourages Putin to take even more hostages.” He stated he would never accept the role of an emigrant, as his goal is to return to Russia. “That is my home.”
Andrei Pivovarov described meeting Chancellor Scholz upon arrival at Cologne/Bonn Airport as “incredible.” He emphasized that without Germany’s support, no one could have survived where they were held. Many were saved from death.
The trio also expressed deep gratitude to the USA and the UK. Kara-Murza mentioned his first phone call after release was with US President Joe Biden. The efforts must continue, he said, as hundreds of people remain imprisoned in Russia for their political views.
Ongoing fight for a free Russia
Pivovarov called for continued efforts to help those still in Russian penal colonies. Both Pivovarov and Kara-Murza stressed that not all Russians support Putin’s war against Ukraine, but many fear imprisonment for their criticism. They affirmed their goal of fighting for a free and civilized Russia, hoping to return one day. Pivovarov expressed confidence that the exchange has inspired many people in Russia.
In the historic prisoner exchange on August 1, Russia released 15 detainees, including four prisoners with German citizenship.
