The European Union has called for the release of Alexei Navalny on Monday January 17, one year to the day after his arrest in Russia, on his return from convalescence in Germany following a serious poisoning in Siberia in August, which he holds Vladimir Putin responsible.
“Today marks a year since Alexei Navalny was arrested and imprisoned in Russia after returning to the country. We reiterate our call on the Russian authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally,” said European Foreign Minister Josep Borrell.
Alexei Navalny also spoke on social media on Monday. “I did it, I don’t regret it for a second,” he wrote of his fight against the Kremlin and his return home. “After a year in prison, I tell you what I shouted at those (who supported me then) in court: do not be afraid,” said the opponent again. “This is our country and we have no other,” he added.
His publication is accompanied by a photo of him in prison uniform with his wife, Yulia.
As a reminder, this militant defender of the corruption of the Russian elites was given a sentence of two and a half years in prison in a case of “fraud” which he describes as political.
But he is also targeted by new prosecutions for “extremism”, which could allow him to be kept in prison for many years.