Russian Nobel Prize winner Muratov fears Kremlin critics: “We must take into account more deaths”

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The death of Alexei Navalny († 47) a few days ago raised alarm bells among human rights activists and journalists critical of the Kremlin. They fear that dozens of political prisoners could now face death in Russian prisons.

Dimitri Muratov, 62, the Nobel Prize-winning editor of the Kremlin-independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, tells the Observer that Navalny’s death was a clear wake-up call for the world to save the Russian political prisoners who could die next. “I couldn’t help Navalny,” Muratov said. “But there are several people in the worst condition.”

Was Kara-Mursa poisoned in custody?

The journalist relies on clear language in the conversation. “I’ll tell you straight away: we have to take into account more deaths.” Muratov Vladimir Kara-Mursa (42) is one of the people whose lives are said to be in danger. Kara-Mursa faces up to 25 years in prison for urging Western governments to punish Putin’s top aides and allies. While in custody, he repeatedly complained of numbness in his limbs and health problems. He was probably poisoned.

Muratov also mentions opposition activist Igor Baryschnikov (65), who suffers from prostate cancer, and local politician Alexei Gorinov (62). Both are serving a seven-year prison sentence for allegedly spreading “false information about the Russian military.”

‘Painful murder in slow motion’

Gorinov, one of the first Russians to be convicted after the outbreak of war in Ukraine, suffers from a chronic lung disease. In 2016, a third of his lung was amputated.

“I think Alexei will be killed in prison,” The Observer quotes Darya Volya, Gorinov’s close friend. “The conditions in which he is being held and the refusal to provide him with prompt, appropriate treatment are a very painful murder of a human being in slow motion.” Muratov agrees that Gorinov is suffocating in custody.

Conditions in Gorinov’s prison are catastrophic. Wolja: “It is extremely cold and damp, and there are always more people than the cell can hold.”

Navalny’s body was handed over to his mother

In a public appeal, Novaya Gazeta listed thirteen imprisoned political prisoners “whose health and lives can be saved if we can force the state to open its teeth.” Muratov says he unsuccessfully lobbied the International Red Cross last year to demand access to Navalny in prison. The Nobel laureate calls on Western governments to exchange captured spies for Kremlin critics.

Alexei Navalny’s body was handed over to his mother on Saturday. ‘We were too late to see Alexei. But there is still a chance to visit these people and save their lives,” Muratov’s colleague Vera Chelishcheva emphasized to the Observer.

Source: Blick