Sweden, Germany, and Lithuania condemn Navalny’s death, urge EU action

Germany, Lithuania condemn Russia as Sweden’s Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom summoned Russia’s ambassador amid international pressure following death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny

In a resounding denouncement of the death of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, Sweden’s Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom took a decisive step by summoning Russia’s ambassador on Monday. This move came amidst mounting international pressure following Navalny’s demise, with Billstrom calling for the European Union to contemplate a “new sanctions regime targeting the internal repression in Russia.”

“The EU must take action against the political oppression in Russia. This is particularly important given the fact that on February 16, Alexei Navalny died in Russian captivity,” Billstrom emphasized.

Joining Sweden’s stance, Germany and Lithuania also summoned Russian envoys in their respective capitals over the tragic passing of the 47-year-old opposition leader.

“A sanctions regime of this kind would provide additional opportunities to take action against Russian government representatives and officials involved in human rights violations,” Billstrom affirmed.

The European Union, which has already imposed widespread sanctions against Russia in connection with the Ukraine conflict, convened on Monday to deliberate further action. Despite the acknowledgment of the challenges posed by Navalny’s death, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell expressed expectations for member states to propose fresh sanctions against those directly responsible for Navalny’s treatment, including within Russia’s prison system. As a symbolic gesture, Brussels pledged to rename its global human rights sanctions blacklist after Navalny.

Meanwhile, Russian investigators have declared their intention to retain Navalny’s body for “at least two weeks” for examination, sparking outrage among supporters who perceive it as a deliberate tactic by the authorities.

“Investigators told Alexei’s mother and lawyers that they are not handing over the body and in the next 14 days they will conduct a chemical analysis, an investigation,” Navalny spokesperson Kira Yarymsh disclosed.

Navalny’s wife, Yulia Navalnaya, echoed the sentiment, unequivocally stating, “Putin killed my husband.” This sentiment is shared among Navalny’s supporters, who draw parallels with the events of 2020 when Navalny fell seriously ill and was later found to have been poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent.

Source: Newsroom