[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed deep concern and called for the unconditional immediate release regarding the sentencing of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny to prison.
On the 2nd (local time), Secretary Blinken issued a statement saying, "The United States is deeply concerned about the Russian authorities' decision to sentence Navalny to prison," and urged, "Immediately release Navalny and the hundreds of other Russian citizens who have been unlawfully detained."
He emphasized, "Like other Russian citizens, Navalny has rights under the Russian Constitution, and Russia has an international obligation to respect equality before the law, freedom of expression, and the right to peaceful assembly."
He continued, "The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has concluded that the 2014 ruling against Navalny was unlawful, arbitrary, and politically motivated," and criticized, "The current trial is part of an effort to violate Navalny's rights and suppress political diversity."
Secretary Blinken added, "While cooperating to advance the interests of both Russia and the United States, we will work closely with allies and partners to hold Russia accountable for failing to protect the rights of its own citizens."
On the same day, a Russian court sentenced Navalny to 3 years and 6 months in prison. This was due to the cancellation of his suspended sentence related to a 2014 fraud conviction, citing failure to comply with the probation conditions, converting it into a prison sentence. However, the court stated that considering Navalny has already spent 11 months under house arrest, he will serve 2 years and 6 months excluding that period.
Navalny's side announced their intention to appeal the verdict, calling it "a personal political retaliation by President Vladimir Putin."
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