In response to the poisoning of Alexei Navalny, more than a hundred MEPs are calling for sanctions against those accused of attacking opposition activists and journalists in Russia.
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In an open letter to the European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, Joseph Borrell, published on Friday, MEPs from various EP groups called for a “full and transparent” investigation into the Navalny case.
“However, we remain extremely skeptical about the ability and willingness of the Russian authorities to find out the true circumstances of this crime,” said MPs, citing a series of unsatisfactory investigations into the murders of Kremlin critics.
On August 20, Navalny was unconsciously taken to Omsk Hospital in the Siberian region of Russia on signs of poisoning, but two days later transferred to Germany, where he was treated by the Charite clinic at the University of Berlin.
As the German government said on Wednesday, there is now conclusive evidence that Navalny has been poisoned by a nerve-paralyzing warfare substance belonging to the Novichok group.
On Thursday night, Borrell made it clear that the EU could take further steps in response to Navalny’s assassination attempt.
Noting that the use of chemical weapons is “completely unacceptable under any circumstances”, he openly threatened Russia with new sanctions.
“The European Union calls for a joint international response and reserves the right to take appropriate action, including strong restrictive measures,” Borrell said.
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