MOSCOW, October 6. /TASS/. Publicist and public activist Vladimir Kara-Murza (deemed foreign agent in Russia) was charged with treason for public speeches criticizing Russian authorities, lawyer Vadim Prokhorov told TASS.
"Our client was charged over three episodes, which consisted of speeches with criticism of Russian authorities during public events in Lisbon, Helsinki and Washington. These speeches posed no threat to the state, it was a public, open criticism, the lawyer said, noting that Kara-Murza denies all charges.
According to the defense, the case is being investigated by the Investigative Committee, not the Federal Security Service (FSB), which is a precedent for a treason case.
Earlier, the law enforcement said that the investigation believes that the publicist "has been collaborating with a NATO country for a long time."
According to the new edition of the Russian Criminal Code, Article 275 provides for criminal responsibility for providing a foreign state with information that constitutes a state secret, as well as defection to the enemy or provision of financial, material, consultative or other aid, aimed against the security of the Russian Federation, to a foreign state. The offense carries imprisonment of up to 20 years.
Earlier, the Basmanny Court arrested Kara-Murza over charges of public dissemination of knowingly false information about Russian Armed Forces’ operations. According to the Investigative Committee, Kara-Murza groundlessly accused the Russian Army of using forbidden means and methods of war in Ukraine during his speech in the Arizona State Legislature.