Neutral Switzerland has called for a thorough investigation into the suspicious death of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny.
On the afternoon of the 20th, a memorial space for Russian anti-government activist Alexei Navalny was set up in front of the statue of Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin in front of Lotte Department Store in Jung-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
According to the Swiss Federal Government on the 20th (local time), the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs stated on the 16th that the cause of Navalny's sudden death in a Siberian prison must be comprehensively investigated. On the social networking service X, it wrote, "We expect Russia to begin an investigation into the cause of death as a country that upholds democracy and fundamental rights. We also express our condolences to Navalny's family."
However, Switzerland has no plans to summon the Russian ambassador to its country to protest Navalny's death, unlike other European countries.
Earlier, following news of Navalny's death, major countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Norway, and Finland summoned Russian ambassadors to their foreign ministries to express protest and demand an accurate investigation.
The Foreign Ministry said, "In the past, when Navalny was subjected to arbitrary detention and unfair treatment, we continuously criticized Russia," and "We have repeatedly expressed the position that the Russian authorities' detention of government critics in inhumane conditions shows how brutally they suppress those who oppose the government's political line and how freedom of expression is being repressed."
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