Finland, Sweden Urge EU Sanctions Over Navalny's Death

Alexei Navalny is with Yulia. (Instagram/yulia_navalnaya)

JAKARTA - Finland and Sweden on Monday, February 19 summoned the Russian ambassador to their countries, and urged European Union sanctions over the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Finland's Foreign Ministry said it summoned the Russian ambassador “to emphasize that Russia is responsible and to demand a full and transparent investigation. We continue to call for the release of all political prisoners in Russia.”

Swedish authorities did the same, underscoring the need for justice and accountability in Navalny's case.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom emphasized the need for European Union (EU) action in response to the incidents surrounding Navalny's death.

“The EU must act against political repression in Russia. "This is very important considering the fact that on February 16, Alexei Navalny died in Russian custody," Billstrom said in a statement quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 20.

“Sweden is also currently taking the initiative for the EU to investigate possible new sanctions targeting internal repression in Russia,” the statement said.

Russia's penitentiary service announced Friday that the 47-year-old opposition figure died in prison while serving a 19-year sentence on extremism charges.

It was also stated that Navalny fainted after walking in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, where the prison is located.

Russian authorities then carried out various examinations to find the facts surrounding his death.

Navalny was arrested in January 2021 after returning to Moscow after undergoing treatment in a Berlin hospital for poisoning.

Western countries and Navalny himself have blamed Russia for the poisoning, a claim the Kremlin denies.

In August 2021 Navalny was sentenced to 19 years in prison on charges of extremism and other crimes. He has also served 11 years and five months in prison for fraud.