Russia should bear “criminal responsibility” for the death of dissident Alexie Navalny, according to MEPs.
The claim, by the Greens, came on the day Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya , made a speech to the EU parliament plenary session in Strasbourg.
Her husband died in suspicious circumstances in a Russian jail over a week ago.
Sergey LAGODINSKY, Greens/EFA MEP and Lead Rapporteur for the parliamentary resolution on the matter, said, “The Russian government and Vladimir Putin personally bear criminal and political responsibility for the murder of their strongest opponent, Alexei Navalny. This raises particularly the question of legitimacy of Vladimir Putin.“
Navalny joined the list of critics of the Russian regime who have died after standing up against the autocracy and kleptocracy of the Kremlin. The EU has to do everything possible to call out the flagrant violations of human rights of this repressive regime.
”The MEP added, “Member States must redouble their efforts to secure the release of most affected, especially sick or tortured political prisoners, including the option of possible swaps of imprisoned individuals.”
“As Greens-EFA group, we are therefore defending the idea of nominating a special envoy for political prisoners and hostages in Russia. Such a special envoy would also serve as a point of contact with the families and associates.“
“We have a duty to support and help all those who are fighting for democracy against the Russian regime.“
“This is why it is necessary to increase and further facilitate the programme for humanitarian visas and offer an EU-wide multi-entry visa scheme for human rights defenders and civil society activists as well as politically persecuted individuals.”
He said, “We will never win the battle for freedom if we leave Russian dissidents to their own fate.”
MEPs were asked to adopt a resolution on “the murder of Alexei Navalny and the need for EU action in support of political prisoners and oppressed civil society in Russia”.
