02:05EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell suggested that the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime be renamed the 'Navalny Human Rights Sanctions Regime' as a tribute to the late Russian opposition leader, speaking in Brussels on Monday,
"To pay homage to Navalny, in order to honour his memory, we propose to ministers to rename our Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime with his name," Borrell stated, adding that the European Union was dedicated to defending human rights.
The proposal follows EU foreign ministers' meeting with Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny's widow. Borrell indicated that EU member states expected to propose new sanctions against those they deemed responsible for Navalny's death in Russia's penitentiary system.
"While the great responsibility lies with Putin himself," Borrell alleged, "we can also consider sanctions against the institutional structure or the penitentiary system in Russia."
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, and Belgian Minister Hadja Lahbib echoed Borrell's sentiments, expressing support for imposing new sanctions on the Russian leadership following Navalny's demise.
Alexei Navalny's death was reported by Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service on February 16. He was 47. The cause of death had not been released at the time of publication.
US President Joe Biden called the incident 'further proof of Putin's cruelty', while Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky alleged that it was 'obvious' that Vladimir Putin was behind the death. Neither provided any evidence to back their assertions.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that 'the instant reaction of NATO leaders to Navalny's death in the form of direct accusations against Russia is self-disclosing.'
"There is no forensic examination yet, but the West already has conclusions ready," Zakharova added.
Navalny returned to Moscow in January 2021, after being treated in Germany for an alleged poisoning attempt while on a flight in Russia in August 2020.
He was initially detained at the airport in the Russian capital, and sentenced to two and a half years in jail for a parole violation stemming from a 2014 embezzlement conviction. The politician was subsequently charged with fraud and contempt of court, and given another nine years in prison.
Navalny claimed all accusations against him were politically motivated. In August 2023, he received another 19 years for inciting and financing extremism, among other charges.
EU's Borrell proposes renaming Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime in 'honour' of Alexei Navalny
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell suggested that the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime be renamed the 'Navalny Human Rights Sanctions Regime' as a tribute to the late Russian opposition leader, speaking in Brussels on Monday,
"To pay homage to Navalny, in order to honour his memory, we propose to ministers to rename our Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime with his name," Borrell stated, adding that the European Union was dedicated to defending human rights.
The proposal follows EU foreign ministers' meeting with Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny's widow. Borrell indicated that EU member states expected to propose new sanctions against those they deemed responsible for Navalny's death in Russia's penitentiary system.
"While the great responsibility lies with Putin himself," Borrell alleged, "we can also consider sanctions against the institutional structure or the penitentiary system in Russia."
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, and Belgian Minister Hadja Lahbib echoed Borrell's sentiments, expressing support for imposing new sanctions on the Russian leadership following Navalny's demise.
Alexei Navalny's death was reported by Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service on February 16. He was 47. The cause of death had not been released at the time of publication.
US President Joe Biden called the incident 'further proof of Putin's cruelty', while Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky alleged that it was 'obvious' that Vladimir Putin was behind the death. Neither provided any evidence to back their assertions.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that 'the instant reaction of NATO leaders to Navalny's death in the form of direct accusations against Russia is self-disclosing.'
"There is no forensic examination yet, but the West already has conclusions ready," Zakharova added.
Navalny returned to Moscow in January 2021, after being treated in Germany for an alleged poisoning attempt while on a flight in Russia in August 2020.
He was initially detained at the airport in the Russian capital, and sentenced to two and a half years in jail for a parole violation stemming from a 2014 embezzlement conviction. The politician was subsequently charged with fraud and contempt of court, and given another nine years in prison.
Navalny claimed all accusations against him were politically motivated. In August 2023, he received another 19 years for inciting and financing extremism, among other charges.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell suggested that the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime be renamed the 'Navalny Human Rights Sanctions Regime' as a tribute to the late Russian opposition leader, speaking in Brussels on Monday,
"To pay homage to Navalny, in order to honour his memory, we propose to ministers to rename our Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime with his name," Borrell stated, adding that the European Union was dedicated to defending human rights.
The proposal follows EU foreign ministers' meeting with Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny's widow. Borrell indicated that EU member states expected to propose new sanctions against those they deemed responsible for Navalny's death in Russia's penitentiary system.
"While the great responsibility lies with Putin himself," Borrell alleged, "we can also consider sanctions against the institutional structure or the penitentiary system in Russia."
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, and Belgian Minister Hadja Lahbib echoed Borrell's sentiments, expressing support for imposing new sanctions on the Russian leadership following Navalny's demise.
Alexei Navalny's death was reported by Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service on February 16. He was 47. The cause of death had not been released at the time of publication.
US President Joe Biden called the incident 'further proof of Putin's cruelty', while Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky alleged that it was 'obvious' that Vladimir Putin was behind the death. Neither provided any evidence to back their assertions.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that 'the instant reaction of NATO leaders to Navalny's death in the form of direct accusations against Russia is self-disclosing.'
"There is no forensic examination yet, but the West already has conclusions ready," Zakharova added.
Navalny returned to Moscow in January 2021, after being treated in Germany for an alleged poisoning attempt while on a flight in Russia in August 2020.
He was initially detained at the airport in the Russian capital, and sentenced to two and a half years in jail for a parole violation stemming from a 2014 embezzlement conviction. The politician was subsequently charged with fraud and contempt of court, and given another nine years in prison.
Navalny claimed all accusations against him were politically motivated. In August 2023, he received another 19 years for inciting and financing extremism, among other charges.