Arrest of Navalny: MEPs call for sanctions against Russian oligarchs
The head of European diplomacy in Brussels on January 19, 2021. AP - John Thys
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In a resolution adopted on Thursday, MEPs condemn the arrest of Alexei Navalny on Sunday upon his arrival at Moscow airport from Germany.
They demand his immediate release as well as that of the 70 people who were waiting for the Russian opponent at the airport.
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The European Parliament on Thursday asked member states to sanction Russian officials involved in
the arrest of opponent Alexei Navalny
in Moscow and oligarchs close to President Vladimir Putin.
The elected officials made these demands in a resolution adopted by 581 votes to 50 and 44 abstentions, and want their position to be taken into account by the EU's foreign ministers during their videoconference meeting next Monday.
For MEPs, the arrest of Alexei Navalny is a way of silencing or even eliminating him as the elections in Russia approach this fall.
The parliamentarians are asking to expand the sanctions regime affecting Russia, reports our correspondent in Brussels,
Joana Hostein
.
"
Let us remember the words spoken in this Parliament by Mr. Navalny himself,
" declared the French MEP Raphaël Glucksmann, member of the Socialist delegation.
"If you want to help us fight this regime, then
punish the oligarchs who spend at home, the money they steal from us.
Let's show that we cannot both violate human rights in Moscow and spend our money. in Courchevel or on the Côte d'Azur ".
"
Sanction Russian oligarchs
The resolution thus calls for sanctioning "
Russian oligarchs linked to the regime, members of President Putin's inner circle and propagandists active in the media who have assets in the EU and who are currently authorized to travel freely
" as stated. recommended Alexeï Navalny himself to the European Parliament during a videoconference in November.
► To read also: Alexeï Navalny, "a puzzle for Vladimir Poutine"
Many MEPs want to go further and ask for an end to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, which is to intensify gas transit between Germany and Russia.
“
It's a project led by private companies.
The European Commission considers that it will not make it possible to diversify the sources of energy supply to the European Union.
But we cannot prevent these companies from building it, if the German government supports it,
”replied Josep Borrell, the head of European diplomacy.
The new sanctions regime will be discussed on Monday at the meeting of European foreign ministers, promises the head of diplomacy.
(With
AFP
)
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Alexei Navalny