The Biden administration is “deeply concerned” by a Russian court’s decision Tuesday to sentence opposition leader Alexei Navalny to a 32-month prison term, officials said, reiterating its demand that Moscow immediately release Navalny and others detained for protesting his arrest.
“Like every Russian citizen, Mr. Navalny is entitled to the rights provided in the Russian constitution, and Russia has international obligations to respect equality before the law and the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
“Even as we work with Russia to advance U.S. interests, we will coordinate closely with our allies and partners to hold Russia accountable for failing to uphold the rights of its citizens,” Blinken added.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki reiterated Blinken’s statement during a briefing Tuesday afternoon, saying the White House is “deeply concerned” by the decision to sentence Navalny and calling on the Russian government to release Navalny and other Russians who have been unjustly detained. She did not specify any actions the U.S. would take in response.
President Biden has ordered a sweeping intelligence review of Russian aggression, including Moscow’s involvement in the Navalny poisoning as well as the SolarWinds hack, election interference and reports of Russian bounties on U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
“That’s an ongoing review by the national security team. When they conclude that, they will launch … a policy process to determine what steps we will take from here,” Psaki said.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said Tuesday afternoon that officials are working on the comprehensive review “very expeditiously” and wouldn’t rule out taking action in response to Russia’s treatment of Navalny before the entire review is complete. The review is being headed by Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines.
Navalny was handed a suspended 3.5 year sentence in 2014 for extortion. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that Navalny’s 2014 conviction was politically motivated. He was arrested in Russia last month, prompting widespread protests across the country.
The Biden administration has signaled it plans to take a firm approach to confront Russian aggression while also trying to work with Moscow on issues of mutual concern, including agreeing to a five-year extension of the New START nuclear arms treaty with Moscow due to expire this month. Biden spoke with Putin last week and pressed him on Moscow’s treatment of Navalny in addition to other areas of concern.
The Hill
