The United States has strongly condemned Russia’s use of harsh tactics against protesters and journalists demanding the release of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
The U.S. State Department called on Russian authorities to release all those detained for exercising their universal rights and for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Navalny.
“We urge Russia to fully cooperate with the international community’s investigation into the poisoning of Aleksey Navalny and credibly explain the use of a chemical weapon on its soil,” State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement amidst widespread protests across Russia.
“Prior to today’s events, the Russian government sought to suppress the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression by harassing protest organisers, threatening social media platforms, and preemptively arresting potential participants,” he said.
This follows years of tightening restrictions and repressive actions against…
