THE UK today sanctioned five individuals “connected to the poisoning and arrest” of Kremlin critic and British dual-national Vladimir Kara-Murza after he was sentenced on charges including treason.

Following a closed-door trial, a Moscow court on Monday sentenced Kara-Murza to 25 years in prison amid an intensifying crackdown on opposition voices since Russia launched its Ukraine offensive.

The UK has called the conviction “politically motivated” and demanded his release. Moscow hit back, accusing London of a “direct interference” in its internal affairs.

Today, the UK announced sanctions on Elena Lenskaya, a judge who approved Kara-Murza’s arrest, along with Denis Kolesnikov and Andrei Zadachin – investigators involved in his arrest.

Alexander Samofal and Konstantin Kudryavtsev, members of the operational team which the UK says followed Kara-Murza “on multiple trips before he was poisoned both in 2015… and 2017”, have also been targeted.

“Russia’s treatment and conviction of Vladimir Kara-Murza once again demonstrates its utter contempt for basic human rights,” UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said.

“Today five individuals connected to his case have been sanctioned, sending a clear message that the UK will not stand for this treatment of one of its citizens.

“I call on Russia to release him immediately and unconditionally,” he added.

The sanctioned individuals will be subject to travel bans and asset freezes.

The UK has previously sanctioned Sergei Podoprigorov, the judge who presided over Kara-Murza’s trial, and Dmitry Komnov, the head of the detention centre where he is being held. – AFP, April 21, 2023.