A spokesman for Navalny has said that the Russian opposition leader’s health has deteriorated since his imprisonment.
WASHINGTON – White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Sunday that the Biden administration warned the Russian government to not let jailed Putin critic Alexei Navalny die in custody. « We have communicated to the Russian government that what happens to Mr. Navalny in their custody is their responsibility and they will be held accountable by the international community, » Sullivan said on CNN’s « State of the Union » program. « We have communicated that there will be consequences if Mr. Navalny dies, » he added. Navalny flew to Russia from Berlin earlier this year after spending nearly half a year recovering for a nerve agent poisoning that took place last August. He was arrested at passport control and later sentenced to more than two years in prison. Last month, the United States sanctioned seven members of the Russian government for the alleged poisoning and subsequent detention of Navalny. The sanctions were the first to target Moscow under Biden’s leadership. The Trump administration did not take action against Russia over the Navalny situation. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote in a separate statement that the sanctions would « send a clear signal » to Russia that the use of chemical weapons and human rights abuses carry hefty consequences.
