Vladimir Kara-Murza was convicted by a Moscow court of treason and other offences in April.
WASHINGTON: US lawmakers on Wednesday called on the Biden administration to formally designate jailed Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza, a US permanent resident, as “wrongfully detained” in hopes it will help secure his release.
US officials have condemned his detention as politically motivated and called for his release, but a formal designation of wrongful detention would mobilise US government resources and involve the presidential envoy for hostage affairs in the case. Republican congressman Joe Wilson, who chairs the commission, said a wrongful detention determination “would energise efforts to bring Vladimir home,” but said calls from lawmakers for the State Department to issue one have so far gone unanswered.