China News Agency, Moscow, February 2 (Reporter Wang Xiujun) Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov stated in Moscow on the 2nd that foreign diplomats should not pressure the Russian courts on the Navaline case and hope that the EU will not treat Russia and Europe. The relationship is linked to the case of Navalny.
On the 2nd, the Moscow Simonov Court handed down a verdict and sentenced Navalny, a Russian opposition activist, to 3.5 years in prison, replacing the probation that Navalny had previously received.
Navalny’s defense lawyer said that he would appeal the verdict.
During the trial, staff from the embassies of the United States, Bulgaria, Poland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Latvia, Austria, and Switzerland went to the court to watch the trial.
On the same day, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Sweden and other countries called for the release of Navalny.
In this regard, Peskov said that foreign diplomats can operate within the scope of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, but they cannot exceed the scope of activities stipulated in the Convention.
Foreign diplomats should not interfere in Russia’s internal affairs, let alone take any action to put pressure on the courts.
Peskov said that Russia is prepared to patiently explain everything to the outside world, but does not intend to listen to and respond to any preaching statement.
Peskov emphasized that he hopes that the EU will not link Russia-EU relations with the Navaline case.
Russia intends to develop relations with EU member states.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov also talked about the Navalny case when he met with the visiting OSCE rotating chairman and Swedish Foreign Minister Linde that day.
Lavrov said that Russia is willing to have candid dialogues with other countries on issues such as Navariny.
On the same day, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated through social networking sites that Navalny was a Russian citizen.
The presence of foreign diplomats in the court is not only an interference in Russia’s internal affairs, but also exposed the role Western countries play in containing Russia.
Later that day, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova stated that the appeals of Western countries are "out of touch with reality." Western countries should not interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign countries and each country should solve its own problems.
Navalny is a well-known Russian opposition figure. He was sentenced to jail for fraud and money laundering, with a suspended sentence until the end of December 2020.
On August 20, 2020, he suddenly fell into a coma on the way to Moscow, suspected of being poisoned, and then the plane made an emergency landing in Omsk.
The local doctor said that no trace of poison was found in Navari's body.
Navalny was later taken by a special plane to a hospital in Berlin, Germany for treatment.
During the treatment, laboratories in Germany, France, Sweden and other countries confirmed that Navalny had been attacked by "Novijok" nerve agents.
On January 13 this year, Navalny, who was in Germany, posted a message via social networking sites that he would return to Russia on January 17. The Moscow General Administration of the Russian Federal Punishment Enforcement Agency stated on January 14 that Navalny had repeatedly violated the probation regulations during 2020 and has been included on the wanted list. Navalny, who returned to Russia on January 17, was detained at Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport. The Russian Federal Punishment Enforcement Agency subsequently asked the court to change Navalny’s suspended sentence to actual imprisonment. (Finish)