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European Parliament wants international investigation into Navalny death
EP presidents and group leaders demand international and independent investigation into the exact circumstances of the death of Russian political prisoners and Sakharov Prize laureate Alexei Navalny
22 February 2024, 9:48am
Matthew Vella
Matthew Vella
2 min read
Alexei Navalny
The European Parliament’s Conference of Presidents, which groups both EP presidents and leaders of the political groups, have expressed their outrage following the murder of the 2021 Sakharov Prize laureate Alexei Navalny.
Navalny, a political prisoner and democracy activist in Russia, died in a Siberian penal colony beyond the Arctic Circle serving an unjustified prison sentence.
“We pay tribute to his memory and express our heartfelt condolences to his wife Yulia Navalnaya and their children, his mother, family and friends, his collaborators and countless supporters in Russia,” the EP said.
The EP leaders said full responsibility for Navalny’s murder laid with the Russian state and its President Vladimir Putin. “Truth must be told, accountability must be ensured and justice must be served. We demand that the body of Alexei Navalny be returned to his family immediately. Any further delay increases even more the responsibility of the Russian authorities for the death of Alexei Navalny.”
The presidents also called for an international and independent investigation into the exact circumstances of the death of Alexei Navalny.
Alexei Navalny became the embodiment of the struggle of the Russian people for freedom and democracy, his death now a reminder of the lethal consequences for democrats inside Russia.
Since his arrest, Navalny had been subjected to ill-treatment, torture, arbitrary punishment and psychological pressure. Although imprisoned in inhuman conditions, he tirelessly continued his fight, denouncing the corruption of the Putin regime.
“We the leaders of the Political Groups stay united in our condemnation of this crime of the Russian regime and its imperialist and neo-colonial policies. The EU and its Member States and likeminded partners around the world must continue the political, economic and military support for Ukraine. In this light we welcome the very recent 13th package of sanctions adopted by the Council. To honour the legacy of Alexei Navalny, we must stand with independent Russian civil society and the democratic opposition, continuously calling for the release of all political prisoners,” the EP said.
“Alexei Navalny’s life, political work and death are a testimony to the fight against apparent apathy, indifference and surrender. May it continue to encourage and inspire.”
This article is part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. This article reflects only the author’s view. The action was co-financed by the European Union in the frame of the European Parliament's grant programme in the field of communication. The European Parliament was not involved in its preparation and is, in no case, responsible for or bound by the information or opinions expressed in the context of this action. In accordance with applicable law, the authors, interviewed people, publishers or programme broadcasters are solely responsible. The European Parliament can also not be held liable for direct or indirect damage that may result from the implementation of the action.
Matthew Vella, a freelance journalist at MaltaToday, was formerly executive editor at Malt...
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