Foreign
POLISH officials on Wednesday criticized Russia for arresting prominent Russian dissident Andrei Pivovarov on board a Polish plane at St Petersburg airport.
“This is clearly an unacceptable situation,’’ Polish government spokesperson Piotr Mueller told public radio broadcaster Polskie Radio on Wednesday.
Pawel Mucha, the advisor to Polish President Andrzej Duda, said that Poland’s civil aviation authority would analyze the data from the flight in question, provided by LOT airline.
And that the appropriate and adequate reactions would be taken on the basis of international and aviation law.
Pivovarov has arrested on board a plane as it was leaving for Poland. Police officers stopped the plane, which was already taxing, in St Petersburg on Monday evening, Pivovarov wrote on his Telegram channel.
According to the 39-year-old, the authorities’ action is connected to his former activity as chairman of the organization Open Russia, which was critical of the Kremlin.
The relevant investigative agency said on Tuesday that he was accused of being involved with an undesirable organization, a designation that was given to Open Russia a few days ago, effectively banning it.
“If found guilty, Pivovarov may face up to six years in prison,’’ he added.
Pivovarov announced he would disband Open Russia, which has also been supported by Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a powerful critic of President Vladimir Putin after it was deemed an “undesirable organization.’’
The fact that he was still detained anyway was a sign of “complete lawlessness,’’ said Pivovarov. (dpa/NAN)
– June 02, 2021 @ 13:28 GMT
Tags: Poland criticises Russia for arresting opposition politician
