Labour calls for Putin stands trial on the Hague after killing of Alexei Navalny
Vladimir Putin ought to stand trial on the Hague following the loss of life of Alexei Navalny, David Lammy has stated.
The Shadow Foreign Secretary demanded the Russian President be put earlier than a world tribunal for crimes towards humanity. It comes because the UK considers recent sanctions towards Moscow after the opposition chief died in jail.
Mr Lammy advised the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg programme: “We’ve been calling for a special tribunal for crimes of aggression and against humanity. I’d like to see Putin in front of that special tribunal, held to account for all of his crimes, not just in Ukraine, however as we’re seeing simply within the final 48 hours in Russia as effectively.
“And in fact as Russia holds elections this yr, it is essential that the worldwide group is ready to confirm that they’re free and truthful elections.” Mr Lammy stated he would assist additional sanctions towards Russia and pledged that Labour would “plug the gaps” of existing measures if elected.
Tory minister Michael Tomlinson said it was right to “lay the blame” for Mr Navalny’s death “on the door of Putin”. He told Sky News: “The Foreign Secretary has been very agency and sturdy in his condemnation and blame frankly of Putin for what occurred.
“Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine we have sanctioned 1,700 individuals and entities as well, and it’s right that the Foreign Secretary considers the appropriate next steps.” He went on: “It’s very clear as the Foreign Secretary said to lay the blame at the door of Putin.
“Alexei Navalny was a brave politician, all of us who stand for politics within the West know the way onerous and the way difficult that’s, however think about how difficult that’s to attempt to stand as much as Putin. The Foreign Secretary for my part is totally appropriate to put the blame firmly at Putin’s door.”
Mr Navalny’s spokesman has confirmed that the Russian opposition leader died at a remote Arctic penal colony and said he was “murdered”, but it remains unclear where his body is. Over 400 people were detained in Russia while paying tribute to him at the weekend, according to campaigners.
The International Criminal Court last year issued an arrest warrant for Putin over alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
