Condolences, 28.07.2019

Vladimir Kara-Murza Sr. was a very good person and journalist – serious and deep. The best of his creative years fell on the time of our common hopes for change. He in many ways personified the true freedom of speech.

Let his memory last forever.

Sincerely,

Emilia Slabunova

***

Volodya Kara-Murza Sr. passed away in the morning. He was only 59 years old … A man of the right stamp. A true journalist. There are a few such people, and it is especially painful. Last year, in the presidential election, Volodya was my authorised representative. I have always been and will be grateful for his support, for his honest and courageous position.

My deep condolences to the family and Vladimir Kara-Murza, Jr.

Sincerely,

Grigory Yavlinsky

***

A news about the death of Vladimir Kara-Murza Sr. came among the news flow about the detentions, criminal cases and arbitrariness of Rosgvarida (Federal National Guard Troops Service) [during their breaking of a peaceful mass protest action for registration of independent candidates in the Moscow parliamentary elections]. Everyone understood that Vladimir struggled for life with all his might. Every time I met him at Radio Liberty, I was amazed at the strength of this man, winning against his disease every day.

Each meeting with him was amazing for me – as if I was returning to my youth. Vladimir was for me a man who spoke to me from the TV screen on the old, real [truly independent] NTV channel in the 1990s: there was this amazing intonation of his intelligence and honour.

Journalism is a complex profession that will never be replaced by free bloggers, moreover propagandists.

Journalists in today’s Russia are a rare phenomenon, despite the abundance of the media.

A man of principle, a professional, for whom honor has always been in the first place… Sending prayers for strength to his son Vladimir Kara-Murze Jr. May his memory be blessed!

Sincerely,

Nikolai Rybakov