Statement on Russia by Patrick Ventrell, Acting Deputy Spokesperson

July 31, 2012

Patrick Ventrell

Director, Press Office
Daily Press Briefing

Washington, DC

“I’d like to say that we are concerned by new charges brought against Russian activist Aleksey Navalny. This follows investigations against other May 6 demonstrators and the trial of members of a punk band who have been held in detention since March. All of these developments raise serious concerns about the politically motivated prosecutions of the Russian opposition and pressure on those who express dissenting views.”