Russian opposition determine Alexei Navalny ought to instantly be granted entry to correct medical care whereas imprisoned at a penal colony exterior Moscow, European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned Sunday amid studies that his well being had sharply deteriorated.
“I’m deeply fearful about Alexei Navalny’s well being,” von der Leyen mentioned on Twitter. “He should instantly obtain entry to correct medical therapy. The EU continues to name for his rapid and unconditional launch.”
Navalny has repeatedly requested entry to medical employees, however has been refused by jail authorities, prompting him to start out a starvation strike three weeks in the past. He has been imprisoned east of Moscow after coming back from Germany the place he was handled for poisoning with a banned Novichok nerve agent — an assault he has blamed on Russian brokers, which the Kremlin has denied.
On Sunday, Navalny’s crew mentioned a nationwide protest was deliberate for Wednesday to focus on his plight.
The EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell additionally mentioned in a assertion Sunday that Navalny ought to have “rapid entry to medical professionals he trusts,” including that the difficulty can be mentioned throughout a gathering of the bloc’s overseas ministers on Monday.
“The Navalny case isn’t an remoted incident however confirms a detrimental sample of a shrinking area for the opposition, civil society and impartial voices within the Russian Federation,” Borrell mentioned.
U.S. President Joe Biden’s nationwide safety adviser, Jake Sullivan, mentioned Sunday that Moscow had been warned that there might be repercussions if Navalny dies in custody.