Putin critic sentenced to 25 years for treason in harshest verdict since Russia invaded Ukraine

A Moscow court on Monday sentenced outspoken Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza to 25 years in prison for treason and other offenses that he denied, marking the harshest punishment issued in such a case since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Kara-Murza, a 41-year-old father of three, served as an opposition politician and spent years speaking against President Vladimir Putin, Reuters reported.

State prosecutors accused Kara-Murza of treason and discrediting the Russian military after he criticized the country's invasion of Ukraine.

Kara-Murza told CNN in an interview broadcast hours before his arrest that Russia was run by a "regime of murderers" who were bombing civilians in Ukraine. Moscow has rejected the allegations.

The sentencing follows Russia last week formally charging Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich with espionage and having imposed prison sentences on Putin opposition leader Alexei Navalny for various crimes, including embezzlement. 

Kara-Murza, after being sentenced Monday, said the opposition slogan "Russia will be free."

Moscow has cracked down on any opposition to what it calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine and made it illegal to spread what it deems "false information" about the Russian military.