Foreign
More than 70 celebrities from around the world have written an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin demanding medical treatment for dissident Alexei Navalny, who is being held in a prison camp.
Referring to his illness, it says: “As a Russian citizen, he has the lawful right to be examined and treated by a doctor of his choice.”
The appeal was printed on Saturday in several European publications, including The Economist in English.
“Harry Potter” author JK Rowling, the three Nobel Prize winners for literature Herta Mueller, Louise Gluck and Svetlana Alexievich, Abba member Bjorn Ulvaeus, actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Kristin Scott Thomas as well as historians Niall Ferguson and Simon Schama signed it.
Navalny was in a critical condition, the letter to Putin said. “We call on you, Mr President, to ensure that Alexei Navalny is immediately given the medical treatment and care he urgently requires – and is entitled to under Russian law.
“As someone who has sworn to uphold the law, you have only to do so.”
Navalny has been on hunger strike for days in a bid to force a visit to the doctor.
He now faces the threat of force-feeding.
The 44-year-old recently complained of back pain, paralysis in his limbs, fever and cough.
His family, lawyers and supporters expressed concern.
The team of his doctor, Anastasia Vasilyeva, tweeted that they had received worrying results from the opposition member’s blood test.
The possibility of kidney failure or cardiac arrhythmia could not be ruled out, they said.
In August, Navalny survived an assassination attempt with the nerve agent Novichok and was treated in Germany.
He complains that the use of the banned chemical agent against a Russian citizen in his home country is not being investigated.
Several laboratories in the EU had confirmed the presence of the poison. (dpa/NAN)
– Apr.17, 2021 @ 14:21 GMT |
Tags: Celebrities demand medical help for Navalny in letter to Putin
