Alexei Navalny, a leading Russian rival, was arrested by police on Sunday (17) when he arrived at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport. AFP reporters said they were preparing to go through passport control.
Navalny, 44, will remain in custody pending a court ruling in his case, Russian Prison Services (FSIN) said in a statement.
Alexei Navalny on a plane at Berlin airport before leaving for the Russian capital Moscow – Photo: Paulina Ivanova / Reuters
Or rival I was flying back from GermanyHe took months to recover from the poisoning alleged by the Russian Special Services (FSB) on the direct orders of President Vladimir Putin.
While in Germany, FSIN says Navalny must report to the prison administration at least twice a week that he violated the terms of his 2014 sentence.
The main figure of the Russian opposition, who had just returned from a trip to Siberia, suddenly fell into a coma in August. He was initially admitted to a hospital in Omsk, but was transferred to a Berlin hospital a few days later.
Three European laboratories concluded that they had been poisoned with a novichok-type neurotransmitter developed during the Soviet era, as confirmed by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Moscow denies and blames Western and Navalny secret services.
The Council of Europe demands release
Navalny’s arrest was criticized by European leaders. On Twitter, European Council President Charles Michel called on Moscow to release its main Russian rival immediately.
European Union (EU) diplomat Joseph Borel has called on Russian authorities to “respect Navalny’s rights”. “The politicization of the judiciary is unacceptable,” the former Spanish chancellor added.
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