WASHINGTON, DC — The McCain Institute at Arizona State University has launched the John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative (FPPI), a new program aimed at securing the release of political prisoners and hostages held by repressive regimes worldwide.
The initiative was announced at a McCain Institute event featuring Russian opposition leader and former political prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza and Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, both of whom will serve on FPPI’s advisory council. Kara-Murza, who was wrongfully imprisoned in Russia, will chair the council.
“The John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative will continue Senator McCain’s legacy of fighting for the freedom and safe return of hostages held by foreign adversaries,” said McCain Institute Executive Director Evelyn Farkas. “We are proud to welcome Vladimir, Jason, and all of the impressive advisory council members who will help free hostages and political prisoners from autocratic regimes.”
The FPPI will provide outreach to high-level U.S. government officials, strategic communications to raise awareness, and post-release support for detainees. The advisory council includes human rights advocates, former hostages, diplomats, and journalists, including Evgenia Kara-Murza, Sir William Browder, Ambassador Roger Carstens, and Siamak Namazi.
Initially, FPPI will focus on securing the release of four groups of detainees: Venezuelan opposition leader Jesús Armas, Belarusian musician Maria Kalesnikava, Israeli American hostages held in Gaza, and Georgian journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli.
Kara-Murza, a close ally of the late Sen. John McCain, was imprisoned in Russia for his opposition to the Kremlin and was released in August 2024 as part of a multilateral prisoner exchange. The McCain Institute played a key role in advocating for his release and has previously worked to secure pardons for other political prisoners, including Georgian journalist Nika Gvaramia.
“The issue of hostage-taking and political imprisonment was especially close to John McCain’s heart,” said Kara-Murza. “I can think of no better tribute to his legacy than the launch of this initiative.”
Rezaian, who was detained in Iran for more than a year, emphasized the importance of coordinated advocacy. “It takes a persistent and committed community of organizations and individuals to bring hostages home and provide adequate support once they return,” he said. “From my own experience, I know just how vital this support is.”
Pedro Pizano, FPPI’s assistant director, noted that political prisoners and hostages symbolize the global struggle against autocracy. “They put a face to the problem,” he said. “Full democracies do not take or hold political prisoners or hostages in the first place.”
With a coalition of experienced advocates and former detainees, the McCain Institute’s initiative seeks to build on McCain’s lifelong commitment to human rights and democracy by fighting for those unjustly imprisoned worldwide.
