hello and welcome to bbc news. we start in moscow where a prominent critic of vladimir putin has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. the journalist and opposition activist vladimir kara murza played a key role in persuading western governments to sanction russian officials for human rights abuses and corruption. the us says it s evidence of an escalating campaign of repression in russia. the eu called it unacceptable. the uk summoned the russian ambassador. here s our russia editor, steve rosenberg. handcuffed and in a bullet proof cage, one of president putin s most prominent critics. vladimir kara murza faced multiple charges, including treason. the verdict, guilty. the punishment, the maximum possible. 25 years in prison. access to the courtroom was heavily restricted. along with otherjournalists and foreign diplomats, we crowded into another room to watch on tv screens. for more than a decade, vladimir kara murza has been a high profile opponent of the kremlin. he helpe
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