Actors Jean Reno and Jude Law, biologist Richard Dawkins and 128 other celebrities signed an open letter to Vladimir Putin demanding the release of politician Alexei Navalny. The letter was published by Meduza.
The letter was also signed by Freedom House President Michael Abramovich, football player Eric Cantona, UNICEF Ambassador Jemima Khan, director and composer JJ Abrams, writer JK Rowling, choreographer Mikhail Baryshnikov and musician Tom York.
As stated in the letter, Navalny is being held in one of the harshest colonies in Russia. He is also regularly sent to the ShIZO, limiting communication with relatives and even lawyers. The staff of the colony ignore his health problems, not providing proper medical care.
Celebrities who signed the letter believe that the persecution of the oppositionist in criminal cases was politically motivated. “Navalny is serving a prison sentence on charges that would never have been accepted by any independent, fair court. We support the call of the German government, the US and EU authorities demanding his immediate release,” the text says.
Earlier, Russian doctors also addressed Putin with an open letter, demanding that Navalny be provided with medical care in the colony, and lawyers who defended the politician.