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Vienna (OTS / SK) – The European SPÖ spokesman, Jörg Leichtfried, condemns the arbitrary detention of opposition politician Alexej Navalny by the Russian authorities and calls for his immediate release. “Russia is subject by its constitution to the rule of law and the protection of civil rights. As a full and prominent member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe and the OSCE, Russia is also committed to the protection of human rights and the investigation of crimes. Russia must play this role, ”Leichtfried said. ****
Navalny was the victim of a poison attack with a Novichok nerve agent in August 2020. Following his treatment in Germany, he returned to Russia yesterday and was arrested upon arrival at the airport. Since then, it is not known where he is: all contact with his lawyer and others is prohibited. Leichtfried calls for a coordinated approach by the EU member states. The EU must uniformly call on Russia to release Navalny immediately and eventually to launch an investigation into the poison attack that was carried out on him. So the EU should decide how to proceed.
“The opposition is an essential part of any democracy. As the European Union, it is our duty to defend the rights of the democratic opposition in Russia and around the world, ”said Leichtfried. (End) bj / ah
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