02:40A European Union spokesperson criticised Russia's treatment of opposition figure Alexei Navalny, on Tuesday, saying authorities should focus on investigating his 'attempted assassination' rather than 'harassing him,' during a briefing in Brussels.
"We are calling for immediate, unconditional release of Navalny, because the charges brought up against him, we consider as politically motivated," said Peter Stano, the EU's lead spokesperson for foreign affairs.
"There is no change on the European position when it comes to the treatment of Mr Navalny, who, let's not forget, was a victim of an attempted assassination with a chemical agent. This attempted assassination is still not being investigated in Russia, so this is the priority where the Russian authorities should concentrate and focus their energies, and solve it as soon as possible instead of harassing Mr Navalny."
The prominent Kremlin critic was treated in Germany for a near-fatal alleged assassination attempt. Since his return in Russia in January, he has been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for violating his parole conditions for a 2014 embezzlement conviction, while being treated in Germany.
EU spokespersons also said the bloc is reviewing cooperation activities with Myanmar after a military coup which took place earlier this month.
Belgium: Russia should 'focus' on investigating Navalny's 'attempted assassination' rather than 'harassing' him - EU spox
A European Union spokesperson criticised Russia's treatment of opposition figure Alexei Navalny, on Tuesday, saying authorities should focus on investigating his 'attempted assassination' rather than 'harassing him,' during a briefing in Brussels.
"We are calling for immediate, unconditional release of Navalny, because the charges brought up against him, we consider as politically motivated," said Peter Stano, the EU's lead spokesperson for foreign affairs.
"There is no change on the European position when it comes to the treatment of Mr Navalny, who, let's not forget, was a victim of an attempted assassination with a chemical agent. This attempted assassination is still not being investigated in Russia, so this is the priority where the Russian authorities should concentrate and focus their energies, and solve it as soon as possible instead of harassing Mr Navalny."
The prominent Kremlin critic was treated in Germany for a near-fatal alleged assassination attempt. Since his return in Russia in January, he has been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for violating his parole conditions for a 2014 embezzlement conviction, while being treated in Germany.
EU spokespersons also said the bloc is reviewing cooperation activities with Myanmar after a military coup which took place earlier this month.
A European Union spokesperson criticised Russia's treatment of opposition figure Alexei Navalny, on Tuesday, saying authorities should focus on investigating his 'attempted assassination' rather than 'harassing him,' during a briefing in Brussels.
"We are calling for immediate, unconditional release of Navalny, because the charges brought up against him, we consider as politically motivated," said Peter Stano, the EU's lead spokesperson for foreign affairs.
"There is no change on the European position when it comes to the treatment of Mr Navalny, who, let's not forget, was a victim of an attempted assassination with a chemical agent. This attempted assassination is still not being investigated in Russia, so this is the priority where the Russian authorities should concentrate and focus their energies, and solve it as soon as possible instead of harassing Mr Navalny."
The prominent Kremlin critic was treated in Germany for a near-fatal alleged assassination attempt. Since his return in Russia in January, he has been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for violating his parole conditions for a 2014 embezzlement conviction, while being treated in Germany.
EU spokespersons also said the bloc is reviewing cooperation activities with Myanmar after a military coup which took place earlier this month.