According to human rights groups, more than 400 people have been arrested nationwide for demonstrating in support of Alexei Navalny.
Demonstration of supporters of Alexey Navalnyi in Russia (AFP)
In Russia, once again, a large number of people have taken to the streets in support of the opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Thousands of people came out across the country, including the capital Moscow, on Wednesday and demanded the release of Navalni from prison. Experts of the United Nations have already warned that the life of the Kremlin critic Navalni is in grave danger. Earlier, Navalni’s doctor also said that he has stood at the mouth of death.
According to human rights groups, more than 400 people have been arrested across the country for demonstrating in support of Navalni. Dozens of people were arrested even before the protest began. It also includes Navalni’s top aides in Moscow. Supporters of President Vladimir Putin’s most vocal opponent fear that he may die soon and supporters have demanded that he be given proper medical care. At the same time, officials have said that Navalani is being treated like other accused.
Navalni’s health is deteriorating due to hunger strike
Alexi Navalani started a hunger strike on 31 March to protest against the lack of better medical facilities in the jail. Since then, his health is deteriorating. On getting information about this, Navalni’s team started uncontrolled demonstrations. Navalani’s colleague and executive director of the Foundation for Fighting Corruption, Vladimir Ashurkov, said that Alexei’s situation was really serious and that is why we started demonstrations. After seeing his test results, doctors say that Navalani needs to be admitted to the ICU.
Russia should release Navalni for treatment abroad
United Nations human rights experts on Wednesday told Russia to send jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny for medical treatment abroad. Experts said that they fear that Navalani’s life is in serious danger. In a statement, he said that Navalani has been kept in a secret prison under a harsh condition. Also, they are not being given adequate medical facilities. Russia’s opposition leader is also being tortured in jail. We urge that the Russian authorities allow Navalny to show her doctor.
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