Secret Diplomacy for Prisoner Exchange: Breakthrough by Chancellor Scholz, Justice Minister Buschmann and Intermediaries in Berlin

Click to watch the film "Nemtsov" by Vladimir Kara-Murza

BERLIN - Cinema for Peace and The World Forum evacuated Alexei Navalny from Siberia to Berlin to save his life in 2020 and took action again in the last few months, helping to avoid the next death in a Russian prison. It supported the existing initiatives for a prisoner exchange between the West and Russia by sending a former leading official of Chancellor Schröder as an intermediary with a list of suggested names and our letter to Moscow, to Turkey and the current chancellory of Germany, which green-lighted with Scholz and Justice minister Buschmann the exchange of the prisoner which Russia wanted most - the Tiergarten assassin. This resulted in wonderful news: Many brave and innocent activists, journalists and dissidents are free again, especially Vladimir Kara-Murza, who would have probably died otherwise in prison like Alexei Navalny, as politics could not agree on prisoner exchange then and intermediaries might have been missing at that time. Kara-Murza has proven leadership and bravery to return despite assassination attempts in Russia, he made a film about the murdered Russian alternative to Putin, Boris Nemtsov, and was a pallbearer for the late John McCain. 

The mission of Cinema for Peace and Sports for Peace is to elevate humanitarian issues by partnering with international film communities, global human rights networks, and key influencers across media, politics, business, and society - focusing on showcasing cinematic works that emphasise core human values such as freedom and democracy - and utilising film stars as peace and humanitarian ambassadors. 

Cinema for Peace supports the safety and attention of dissidents and highlights their films. “Bobi Wine: The People's President” was honoured with The Cinema for Peace Dove for The Political Film of the Year 2024, recognising Bobi Wine’s efforts to expose corruption and challenge electoral fraud, after he was imprisoned and tortured instead of being allowed to become the new president of Uganda. Due to threats from the government, Wine, along with other democracy defenders like Ai Weiwei, Pussy Riot, and Joshua Wong, have received support and protection through the Cinema for Peace Foundation’s network.

The commitment remains steadfast in using film as a powerful tool to address and spotlight critical humanitarian issues, fostering informed discussions and promoting positive change.