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Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas with his counterpart Jean Asselborn from Luxembourg
Photo: JOHN THYS / AFP
Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has called for the immediate release of the supporters of Kremlin critic Alexej Navalny who were arrested during protests in Russia over the weekend.
He referred to freedom of expression: "According to the Russian constitution, everyone in Russia has the right to express his or her opinion and to demonstrate," said the SPD politician in the run-up to consultations with his European counterparts in Brussels.
The EU foreign affairs representative Josep Borrell also spoke of "worrying events in Russia".
According to civil rights activists, more than 3,500 people were arrested on Saturday during the demonstrations for the release of the opposition leader Navalny, who was arrested a week ago, which were not approved in the corona crisis.
In Moscow and St. Petersburg, uniformed men beat and kicked demonstrators.
Maas initially said nothing on Monday about possible reactions by the EU to the actions of the Russian authorities against Navalny and his supporters.
After Navalny's arrest, the European Parliament demanded new sanctions against Russia.
This also included the demand for a construction stop on the German-Russian pipeline project Nord Stream 2.
Eastern member states such as Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia are particularly promoting a quick and clear reaction against Russia.
Others, however, are more cautious and want to wait and see whether Navalny will be held longer.
A final decision on new sanctions is therefore not expected this Monday.
The next trial against Navalny is scheduled for February 2nd.
Navalny was sentenced to 30 days' imprisonment in Russia on Monday last week for allegedly violating registration requirements in previous criminal proceedings.
The opposition politician had previously decided to return to his homeland, where he was the victim of an attack in August with the neurotoxin Novichok, which is banned as a chemical weapon.
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bmo / dpa / AFP
