Russian Authorities Arrest Opposition Figure Navalny (in green) at a Moscow Airport on January 17, 2021
The United States strongly condemns the arrest of opposition figure Navalny by Russian authorities and demands his immediate and unconditional release.
Navalny, a critic of the Kremlin, was arrested immediately upon his arrival in Moscow on Sunday (January 17, 2021). It was his first return to his homeland since he was poisoned and sent abroad for medical treatment last August.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement the same day, “We note and are deeply concerned that the detention of Navalny is the latest action by Russian authorities to try to deny him and other opposition figures, as well as independents critical of the authorities, a voice.”
Navalny was detained by police wearing black masks and manning passport control points after flying from Germany to Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport. A lawyer traveling with him was not allowed to accompany him, but he barely had a chance to kiss his wife goodbye.
Before being taken away by police, Navalny told news reporters present for the interview, “I’m happy to be back, it’s the best day I’ve had in five months.”
A Moscow librarian told the Voice of America, “Navalny has inspired many Russians. He has no fear. He is not afraid to die or to be put in prison.”
Navalny’s return to Moscow Sunday capped a thrilling journey of nearly five months. Navalny was taken to Germany for resuscitation after being poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent used in the former Soviet era while traveling in Siberia last August.
Navalny publicly accused President Vladimir Putin of ordering security services to poison him, something the Kremlin has denied.
An independent media investigation team said Russian Federal Security Service agents had been following Navalny for months, days and even hours before he was poisoned.
After Navalny was arrested by Russian authorities Sunday, Sullivan, the national security adviser to incoming U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, tweeted, “Navalny should be released immediately and the perpetrators of the brazen attack on his life must be held accountable.”
European Council President Michel said it was unacceptable that Navalny had been arrested and that he must regain his freedom.
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