Latvia joins call for thorough investigation into Navalny's death and release of political prisoners in Russia

RIGA - Several countries, including Latvia, have repeatedly called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the death of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, LETA was told at the Foreign Ministry.

On the second commemoration of Navalny's death in a Russian penal colony, the countries once again express their deepest condolences to his family and underline that the Russian authorities remain solely responsible. Citing a judgment by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), the statement underlines that Russia bears responsibility for the inhuman and degrading treatment of Navalny in detention and for the lack of adequate response to his requests.

The countries express concern about the human rights situation in Russia, including reprisals against human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, and doctors, among many others. The statement notes that more than 1,700 people are currently detained in Russia on political grounds, including Ukrainian political prisoners in Russian captivity.

The statement says that repression inside Russia furthermore enables its aggression abroad, and the countries reiterate their call on Russia to fully comply with international obligations and release all political prisoners.

The statement has been joined by Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.