Russian President Vladimir Putin bears
“responsibility”
for the death of opponent Alexeï Navalny, the European Parliament underlined in a resolution voted on Thursday.
“The Russian government and Vladimir Putin in person bear criminal and political responsibility for the death of Alexeï Navalny”
, affirms the European Parliament in this non-binding resolution, voted by a very large majority (506 votes for, 9 against) the following day of a speech by the widow of the Russian opponent, Yulia Navalnaïa, in the hemicycle.
The European Parliament demands an independent and transparent international investigation into the exact circumstances of the death of the Russian opponent so that those responsible
are “held to account”
and justice is done.
Describing the regime as
“warmongering, autocratic and kleptocratic”
, the Parliament expresses its support for the democratic opposition in Russia.
It urges member states to redouble their efforts to find concrete ways to release political prisoners, particularly those in poor health or victims of torture, and to consider the possibility of prisoner exchanges.
Funeral
On the eve of Alexeï Navalny's funeral scheduled for Friday in Moscow, the European Parliament calls on Moscow
"not to hinder the efforts"
of the family
"to organize his funeral with dignity"
.
On Wednesday, in Strasbourg, Yulia Navalnaïa, widow of the Russian opponent, said she feared arrests during the funeral.
These funerals could mobilize supporters of Vladimir Putin's former number one adversary in large numbers and be embarrassing for the Russian president, who is preparing for a new coronation following an unopposed vote scheduled for March 15 to 17.
Alexei Navalny died on February 16 in a penal colony.
According to the Russian Prison Service, he died after suddenly feeling unwell
“after a walk”
.
The opponent's team, as well as many Western leaders, have accused Vladimir Putin of the
"murder"
of the opponent who spent three years of detention in very harsh conditions.
Alexeï Navalny received the 2021 Sakharov Prize from the European Parliament, the European Union's highest distinction for human rights.