BRUSSELS: The European Union on Monday condemned the sentencing of Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza to 25 years in prison, describing the Russian court ruling as "outrageous" and "politically motivated". "Today’s outrageously harsh court decision clearly demonstrates yet again the political misuse of judiciary in order to pressure activists, human rights defenders and any voices opposing Russia’s illegitimate war of aggression against Ukraine," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement.

"We call on Russia to immediately and unconditionally release all those imprisoned for politically motivated charges."