Freed Russian dissidents say they refused to sign mercy petition

Both also conveyed gratitude to the countries who worked to free them.

British Broadcasting CorporationWatchHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS ElectionUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessWomen at the HelmFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveAudioWeatherNewslettersFreed Russian dissidents refused to sign plea for mercy from PutinEPAMr Kara-Murza said the prisoner swap had saved "16 human lives"Two Russian dissidents released in a prisoner swap on Thursday have said they refused to sign a petition for mercy to be sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin as requested by prison officials.

During a news conference in Germany, Vladimir Kara-Murza and Ilya Yashin said they did not admit guilt nor give Russian officials their consent to be removed, and vowed to return home one day.

Mr Kara-Murza said the deal had saved "16 human lives" and that he had been convinced he would die in prison.

The two men were released as part of the exchange, which saw 24 people jailed in seven different countries exchanged.

Those released by Russia included US journalist Evan Gerschkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpe3ed2ejglo

---