MOSCOW: Russia has warned the US, British, and Canadian ambassadors against any attempts to “incite discord” in the country, following their statements in support of opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Monday.
According to a statement by the Russian foreign ministry, US Ambassador Lynne Tracy was summoned over “provocative statements ‘in support'” of Kara-Murza. The ministry emphasized that any attempts by the US to incite discord and enmity in Russian society, and using the diplomatic mission to cover up subversive work, would be severely suppressed.
The British and Canadian ambassadors, Deborah Bronnert and Alison LeClaire, respectively, were also summoned separately over their statements.
The ministry accused them of committing “gross interference” by calling for the release of opposition politician Kara-Murza, who is also a British citizen.
“Today’s verdict is an unfortunate testament to the dark turn this struggle for democracy has come to,” Canadian ambassador Alison LeClaire said after the opposition leader’s sentencing.
In response, the Russian ministry said that “such actions constitute direct interference in our internal affairs.”
Russia dismisses references to Kara-Murza’s British citizenship
The ministry also dismissed references to Kara-Murza’s British citizenship as “legally void” in Russia.
Kara-Murza, a prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been repeatedly targeted by the government in recent years.
He has survived two poisoning attempts and has been arrested multiple times.
The sentencing of Kara-Murza to 25 years in prison has been widely criticized by Western governments and human rights organizations, who see it as a crackdown on political opposition in Russia.
The latest warning by Moscow to the ambassadors of the US, UK, and Canada is likely to escalate tensions between Russia and the West, which have been strained for years over issues ranging from Ukraine to election interference.
