Russia's opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been stripped of his status as a prisoner of conscience. He has been accused of being a white supremacist and supporting violence.
Alexei Navalny stripped of the 'prisoner of conscience' tag
Amnesty has said it is stripping a detained Russian opposition leader of the status it gave to him as a prisoner of conscience, saying Alexei's past statements were tantamount to hate speeches. In a statement issued on Wednesday, they said they will however continue to sue for his immediate release from the Russian government.
The 45-year-old has been detained in Moscow for floating parole. He had insisted that he was poisoned in Germany which necessitated his traveling. The decision of Amnesty International has because of a statement he made in the best which Alexei hasn't denied. The statement promoted hatred and called for violence against autocracy.
Alexei supports violence against other groups
He had previously supported nationalist and anti-immigrant law which many of his critics say was against his status. Alexei has been labeled a white supremacist and anti-free movement. About 16 years ago, Alexei videoed a pro-ammunition rally where he labeled some Muslims as 'Roaches' and pretended to fire a gun at one.
'To the best of our knowledge, Alexei hasn't made similar comments, and we will continue to ask for his immediate release for Russia because he believes his detention was politically motivated. We believe that he will be freed soon.'
A prisoner of conscience' status meant the holder hasn't used inflammatory statements against any race or called for violence against anybody. Amnesty has said the video comments were against such a title. The tension between Russia and other EU nations has reasons as diplomats from Sweden and Poland have been returned to their country for participating in a rally supporting Alexei Navalny. Both nations have promised to retaliate, and that it won't go unpunished.
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