An EU member state, Latvia, has criticized the detention by Russian authorities of the returning home oppositionist Alexei Navalny and demanded his immediate release. In particular, this position was expressed by Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs on Twitter.
"The detention of Alexei Navalny is absolutely unacceptable. We demand from the Russian authorities his immediate release," Rinkēvičs said.
He stressed that the European Union must react quickly in connection with the arrest of the politician, and if he is not released, it is necessary to consider imposing sanctions against Russia.
Today, January 17, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was detained at the Sheremetyevo airport, while going through passport control.
Navalny, who is President Vladimir Putin’s most prominent and determined foe, had spent the previous five months in Germany recovering from a nerve agent attack that he blamed on the Kremlin. Navalny decided to leave Berlin of his own free will and wasn’t under any apparent pressure to leave Germany.
The prison service made the announcement after the flight carrying Navalny landed in the Russian capital, though at a different airport than had been scheduled. It was a possible attempt to outwit journalists and supporters who wanted to witness Navalny’s return.
