Karen Melchior (Renew). – MrPresident, colleagues, you may remember that, in December 2021, Daria Navalnaya was received in this Ϸվ to receive the Sakharov Prize on behalf of her father. Together with her, she had Leonid Volkov, the chief of staff of Alexei Navalny. Yesterday evening, you may have heard that he was brutally attacked by a thug outside his house with a hammer, trying to break his leg and break his arm. Fortunately, Leonid Volkov is unrestricted by fear and is continuing his work.
We cannot allow Russian thugs to threaten and attack opposition politicians in Europe. Europe must be a place of freedom and protection for opposition politicians and activists from the world. Our Member States must up the protection of activists and political refugees in Europe against Russian interference and Russian attacks. We will not be made afraid!