Browder

Anti-Kremlin political activist Bill Browder is now compiling a list of more than 50 Russian prisoners in Western countries who could be used as bargaining chips to free activists and journalists detained in Russia.

Browder hopes the effort could help release British-Russian journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza, sentenced to 25 years in jail for treason for speaking out against the war in Ukraine, as well as Evan Gershkovich.

Asked by the BBC whether his campaign played into "hostage diplomacy", Browder conceded it is "far from ideal", but necessary to save lives.

After Alexei Navalny's death, Browder said, "it's clear that other hostages are at risk of dying".

And Russia has tried repeatedly to secure the arrest of William F. Browder, a London-based human rights campaigner.