Murder of Alexei Navalny

This morning at 11.30am, Alexei Navalny's widow, Yulia Navalnaya , will make a speech to the plenary session. A debate - one round of political group speakers - will follow.  

At the request of the Greens-EFA Group, a resolution on “the murder of Alexei Navalny and the need for EU action in support of political prisoners and oppressed civil society in Russia” will be adopted the following day.

Sergey LAGODINSKY, Greens/EFA MEP and Lead Rapporteur for the resolution, comments:

“The Russian government and Vladimir Putin personally bear criminal and political responsibility for the murder of their strongest opponent, Alexei Navalny. This raises particularly the question of legitimacy of Vladimir Putin.

"Navalny joined the list of critics of the Russian regime who have died after standing up against the autocracy and kleptocracy of the Kremlin. The EU has to do everything possible to call out the flagrant violations of human rights of this repressive regime.

"Member States must redouble their efforts to secure the release of most affected, especially sick or tortured political prisoners, including the option of possible swaps of imprisoned individuals. As Greens-EFA group, we are therefore defending the idea of nominating a special envoy for political prisoners and hostages in Russia. Such a special envoy would also serve as a point of contact with the families and associates.

"We have a duty to support and help all those who are fighting for democracy against the Russian regime.

"This is why it is necessary to increase and further facilitate the programme for humanitarian visas and offer an EU-wide multi-entry visa scheme for human rights defenders and civil society activists as well as politically persecuted individuals.

"We will never win the battle for freedom if we leave Russian dissidents to their own fate.”