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The John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative: Impact

The McCain Institute took immediate action in 2022 following the Kremlin’s wrongful imprisonment of Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was a close ally and pallbearer of Senator McCain. Kara-Murza was released as part of a multilateral prisoner exchange on August 1, 2024, following years of advocacy by international allies including the McCain Institute. The McCain Institute also proudly acted when Nika Gvaramia, a journalist and media owner in the Republic of Georgia, was imprisoned for his reporting and sentenced to more than three years in jail. Following seven months of petitioning, the McCain Institute helped secure a pardon for Gvaramia by the president of Georgia, resulting in his release. 

Vladimir Kara-Murza

Russian politician, author, historian, and former political prisoner

Nika Gvaramia

Journalist and Media Owner in the Republic of Georgia

This initiative is currently advocating for the release of additional political prisoners around the world: 

Jesús Armas

Venezuelan Opposition Leader 

Maria Kalesnikava

Belarusian Flutist 

Mzia Amaghlobeli

Georgian Journalist

Israeli Americans

Hostages in Gaza