MPs line up to BLAST Kremlin for Navalny arrest as poisoned dissident returns to Russia

Alexei Navalny was poisoned say scientists in France and Sweden

The Russian dissident was detained by police shortly after he arrived back in the country by plane. Mr Navalny had been recovering in Germany after his poisoning in August last year which made headlines worldwide.

He has blamed his poisoning on the Russian government, which has denied any involvement.

The dissident had made clear his intention to return to Russia despite this.

Authorities arrested him last night, citing his failure to appear at a parole hearing relating to a 2014 suspended sentence as the reason.

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Now, UK officials have hit out at the Kremlin for its crackdown on the dissident.

Tom Tugendhat, Tory MP and chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said on Twitter that Navalny’s “real crime” was “surviving the assassination attempt Putin’s corrupt regime tried on him”.

Tobias Ellwood, Conservative MP and Chair of the Commons Defence Select Committee, said: “Poisoned by the FSB yet he chooses to return to Russia and has now been arrested.

READ: Putin critic detained in Navalny poisoning row – Russian police cover up apartment camera

“Incredibly brave stand by Navalny in the name of democracy as we head towards Russian parliamentary elections.”

Lisa Nandy, Labour MP for Wigan, hit out at the decision. She said Mr Navalny had been the victim of a “cowardly” attack on his life.

She added: “He has shown great courage in returning to his homeland. His detention is unjustifiable and an insult to the Russian people.

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“He must be released immediately and his attackers brought to justice.”

Officials from other countries have also spoken out on Mr Navalny’s arrest.

Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State, issued a statement blasting Russian authorities for Mr Navalny’s arrest shortly after it was reported.

Mr Pompeo said: “The United States strongly condemns Russia’s decision to arrest Alexei Navalny. We note with grave concern that his detention is the latest in a series of attempts to silence Navalny and other opposition figures and independent voices who are critical of Russian authorities.

“Confident political leaders do not fear competing voices, nor commit violence against or wrongfully detain political opponents.

“We urge the Russian government to provide a level playing field for all political parties and candidates seeking to compete in the electoral process.

“Alexei Navalny is not the problem. We demand his immediate and unconditional release.”

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