04:15Russia: ‘Such people should never be in politics’ - Duma Speaker Volodin on Navalny
Speaker of the Russian State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin said opposition figure Alexei Navalny was being used as a tool by Western intelligence agencies, speaking at the opening of the Duma’s spring session in Moscow on Tuesday.
"In this case, he is a pawn in someone's big game, which is not friendly and dangerous for our country. Therefore, if he has a head on his shoulders, let him deal with his criminal activities. He has many lawyers, and they are highly paid, so let them explain where and what violations he [Navalny] has and let them protect him. But such people should never be in politics," stated Volodin.
The Duma speaker said that Navalny had “betrayed” his country and was being used to weaken Russia with the help of Western intelligence services and the US State Department.
"Everyone should understand that everything he does is supported by foreign countries. Our goal is to prevent foreign interference, no matter who is pursuing this policy here. We have to protect our country. If some person has betrayed the country, and if he is paid by foreign countries, he should not be in any public position of authority," stressed Volodin.
Navalny arrived in Moscow on Sunday evening after spending almost five months in Germany recovering and rehabilitating from an alleged Novichok nerve agent attack.
He was detained at the Sheremetyevo airport upon arrival and taken to Khimki police station where he was tried on Monday and jailed for 30 days for breaching the terms of his suspended prison sentence.
04:15Speaker of the Russian State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin said opposition figure Alexei Navalny was being used as a tool by Western intelligence agencies, speaking at the opening of the Duma’s spring session in Moscow on Tuesday.
"In this case, he is a pawn in someone's big game, which is not friendly and dangerous for our country. Therefore, if he has a head on his shoulders, let him deal with his criminal activities. He has many lawyers, and they are highly paid, so let them explain where and what violations he [Navalny] has and let them protect him. But such people should never be in politics," stated Volodin.
The Duma speaker said that Navalny had “betrayed” his country and was being used to weaken Russia with the help of Western intelligence services and the US State Department.
"Everyone should understand that everything he does is supported by foreign countries. Our goal is to prevent foreign interference, no matter who is pursuing this policy here. We have to protect our country. If some person has betrayed the country, and if he is paid by foreign countries, he should not be in any public position of authority," stressed Volodin.
Navalny arrived in Moscow on Sunday evening after spending almost five months in Germany recovering and rehabilitating from an alleged Novichok nerve agent attack.
He was detained at the Sheremetyevo airport upon arrival and taken to Khimki police station where he was tried on Monday and jailed for 30 days for breaching the terms of his suspended prison sentence.