MOSCOW. April 17 (Interfax) - The journalist and opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza (designated a foreign agent in Russia), who has been sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment at a high-security facility, has a medical condition that prevents him from serving his sentence, his lawyer Mariya Eismont said.
"We are concerned about his poor health. As you are aware, Vladimir survived two poisonings, which proved very long and difficult to recover from [...] And now, while he has been in custody, a number of symptoms related to numbness in his extremities and nerve damage have become worse," Eismont told journalists after the sentencing on Monday.
Kara-Murza was diagnosed with polyneurapathy, which is on the list of illnesses which preclude incarceration, she said, adding that she was revealing the diagnosis with her client's consent.
On Monday, the Moscow City Court sentenced Kara-Murza to 25 years' imprisonment at a high-security facility, a 400,000 ruble fine and a seven-year ban from engaging in journalistic activity.
The Russian citizen, who is also a British subject, was found guilty of treason, spreading disinformation about Russian military activities, and collaboration with an undesirable organization.
Kara-Murza denies all charges and says his prosecution is politically motivated. His defense team will appeal the conviction.