Russian opponent Vladimir Kara-Murza, who faces 25 years in prison for criticizing the war in Ukraine, says he has no regrets.

Furthermore, he compares the trial against him to the trials and persecution of opponents under dictator Josef Stalin in the 1930s.

Kara-Murza, 41, is a former journalist but spent several years as an opposition politician, and he lobbied foreign governments and institutions to introduce sanctions against the Putin regime and politicians Russians for alleged human rights violations.

On Thursday, Russian prosecutors dropped a request for 25 years in prison against him. They accuse him of treason and discrediting the Russian army, after having criticized the war in Ukraine.

In his closing statement to the trial, Kara-Murza, who is a father of three, did not ask to be acquitted, but said he stood by and was proud of everything he said. .

– Criminals are supposed to regret what they have done. But I am in prison for my political opinions. I also know that the day will come when the darkness that has settled over our country will be cleared up, Kara-Murza said.

Earlier Monday, dozens of Russian journalists and activists, many of whom fled the country, called on Russian authorities to release Kara-Murza. They believe the charges against him are baseless and politically motivated.

Kara-Murza was a close associate of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, killed near the Kremlin in 2015. Kara-Murza himself survived poisoning attempts in 2015 and 2017.