(CNN) – Nearly a dozen Russian politicians have issued an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, pointing out that they are personally responsible for life. Alexei Navalny, Critic of the Kremlin The hunger strike In a prison in the Russian city of Pokro.
The letter, signed by 11 politicians representing various regional parliaments, stated that “the health of political prisoner Alexei Navalny is endangering his life”, while demanding that an independent doctor be allowed to visit Navalny immediately.
Russia’s main protester went on a hunger strike on March 31, demanding “proper medical care” and was examined by an independent doctor, but his team failed to reach Pokrov Prison.
His colleagues have been raising concerns about Novel’s health, saying he is “dying” and medical tests suggest he may be at increased risk for kidney failure and heart problems. CNN was unable to independently verify Navalny’s health.
“We consider what is happening in relation to Navalny to be an attempt at personal and political hatred in the life of a politician,” the letter reads, which is open for the signature of Russian citizens. The letter was first shared and aired Saturday night.
As President of the Fed Russian Federation you are personally responsible for the life of Alexei Navalny in the territory of the Russian Federation, including prisons. [tiene esta responsabilidad] In front of Navalny, his family members and the whole world, he said, “The letter should review all of Navalny’s criminal cases.
Struggles across the country
The escalation of the situation prompted Navalny’s allies to announce rallies in their support across Russia, which takes place on April 21.
“Navalny is now in prison, his life hangs by a thread,” his chief of staff Leonid Volkov said in a joint video with Alexei Navalny Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) director Ivan Zhtanov.
“He has been fasting for several weeks and seeking medical help. His condition is so bad that we do not know how long he will last. But it is clear that we do not have time,” he added in the video, in which all Russian citizens are asked to go to the local central squares.
Western nations have also condemned Russian officials for allowing the Navalny government to deteriorate. On Sunday, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the Biden administration was weighing its options for punishing Russia if Navalny dies in state custody.
“We are in contact with the Russian government to ensure that what is happening in Mr. Navalny’s custody is their responsibility and that they are held accountable to the international community,” Sullivan told CNN. “In particular, we are considering the various measures we will impose, and at this time I am not going to comment publicly on it. We are in touch that there will be consequences if Mr. Navalny dies,” he added.
The European Union (EU) on Sunday called on Russia to provide “immediate access” to Alexei Navalny, a “medical expert you trust”.
The European Union (EU) is deeply concerned by reports that the health of imprisoned Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny continues to deteriorate. We urge the Russian authorities to immediately reach out to the medical professionals they trust, “said Joseph Porrell, the EU’s top foreign envoy.
In an interview with the BBC on Sunday, Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrei Kellin said that Navalny “behaves like a traitor” but that if he “behaves normally” he will soon have a chance to get out of prison.
He declined to elaborate on what normal behavior is.
When pressured by the BBC to answer whether the Russian government was prepared to imprison Navalny, Kellin said: ‘Of course he will not be allowed to die in prison. But Mr. All I can say is that Navalny is behaving like a fraud, completely, trying to break all established rules. Through all of this his general purpose is to attract attention, and he says that today his left arm is sick, tomorrow his leg is sick and all those things.
Addressing critics who say Navalny was not allowed to see his personal doctor, Kelin said, ‘What about British prisoners? Do British prisoners ask private doctors? ‘
«[Navalny] He has the medical treatment he needs, trust me, we will take care of his medical treatment, ”he added.
The French foreign minister said on Sunday that his country was “deeply concerned” about Navalny’s health.
“I think Mr. Navalny’s situation is very worrying,” Jean-Yves Le Trian told the public channel France. “I see that there is indeed a dictatorial slide in Russia. Mr. Navalny’s case is very symbolic and very significant,” he added.
Martin Goilando contributed to this report.
