US condemns Russia's use of harsh tactics against protesters, journalists

United States has strongly condemned Russia's use of harsh tactics against protesters and journalists demanding release of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny. US State Department called on Russian authorities to release all those detained for exercising ir universal rights and for immediate and unconditional release of Navalny.

“We urge Russia to fully cooperate with international community’s investigation into poisoning of Aleksey Navalny and credibly explain use of a chemical weapon on its soil,” State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement amidst widespread protests across Russia.

“Prior to today's events, Russian government sought to suppress rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression by harassing protest organisers, threatening social media platforms, and preemptively arresting potential participants,” he said.

This follows years of tightening restrictions and repressive actions against civil society, independent media, and political opposition, he added. Continued efforts to suppress Russians' rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, arrest of Navalny, and crackdown on protesters that followed are troubling indications of furr restrictions on civil society and fundamental freedoms, Price said.

“Russians' rights to peaceful assembly and to participate in free and fair elections are enshrined t only in country's constitution, but also in Russia’s OSCE commitments, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and in its international obligations under International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” he said. US will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with its allies and partners in defense of human rights – wher in Russia or wherever y come under threat, Price said.