As part of the "Free Navalny Campaign", a full-size replica of the punishment cell (Shizo) where the Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny is serving his 9.5 years sentence is installed in front of the building Station Europe, at the European Parliament in Brussels. Extracts from the event in presence of Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI), Vice-President of the EP and Tomas TOBÉ (EPP, SE), Chair of DEVE Committee.

Brussels

statement

EU - Russia (T)

respect for human rights in the world (T)

Human rights (T2)

HAUTALA, Heidi (Greens/EFA, FI)

TOBÉ, Tomas (EPP, SE)

Display of replica of Alexei Navalny's cell in front of Station Europe: extracts from the event in presence of Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI), Vice-President of the EP and Tomas TOBÉ (EPP, SE), Chair of DEVE Committee

Title: Display of replica of Alexei Navalny&apos;s cell in front of Station Europe: extracts from the event in presence of Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI), Vice-President of the EP and Tomas TOB&#201; (EPP, SE), Chair of DEVE Committee (EbS) 

Alexei Navalny's cell's replica (4 shots)

Cutaways of the audience, MEPs and signs in support fo Alexei Navaly (5 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Maria PEVCHIKH, Chairwoman of the board of the Anti-Corruption Foundation, We're here to acknowledge a great crime that is happening right now and a very tragic situation. And that is happening right now to Alexei Navalny and to many other political prisoners in Russia. What you see behind me is an exact replica of a prison cell. I think it's about three metres long and two and a half, roughly maybe three metres wide. And this is not an exaggeration. This is not an art piece. This is reality. Alexei Navalny right now is in the very similar cell. It is called punishment cell. And technically speaking, people are not supposed to spend that more than 14 days. The cells are not made to live there. They are made as a punishment if you violate prison rules.

SOUNDBITE (English), Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI), EP Vice-President, Alexei Navalny was awarded with the Sakharov Prize in 2021, and we keep in touch as much as we can with the laureates of the Sakhararov community, as we call it, and we know very well them. Alexei Navalny has been a fierce fight against corruption and abuse of power under the most difficult conditions and created a real mass movement across Russia. And I believe that now it's time that we also think of all the other political prisoners. You said, Maria, that there was a time when you could list the names. Some of those names have been listed in European Parliament's resolutions, but they are far too many now to be listed. I remember there was a moment when we had 152 names, but this is now much, much more.

SOUNDBITE (English), Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI), EP Vice-President, This is a great opportunity now for us also to to raise the flag of freeing Navalny, but also freeing all the political prisoners of Russia.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tomas TOB&Eacute; (EPP, SE), Chair of DEVE Committee, The European Parliament has repeatedly asked for the immediate and unconditional release of Navalny. We will continue to be committed to this cause. We will not forget. We will not turn the page. The showing of this inhumane cell is also a call for democracy, human rights and freedoms worldwide. It is to take a stand against corruption and cruelty. It is resistance to Russia's aggression abroad. It is an act of solidarity. Free Navalny.

SOUNDBITE (English), Maria PEVCHIKH, Chairwoman of the board of the Anti-Corruption Foundation, Thank you so much. It really makes me humbled to be here. And the weight that the European institutions, the European Union adds to our fight is very important. And please do not forget. I'm addressing the European community, the European politicians, members of Parliament and Commission, etc.. We do acknowledge and we do it. We do remember your impact.

MEPs waln into the cell's replica (3 shots)

Interior views of the cell's replica (5 shots)