Navalny’s daughter accepts EU human rights award on his behalf

The daughter of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny accepted a top European Union human rights award on his behalf Wednesday.

Daria Navalnaya gave a speech the European Parliament with a framed picture of her father beside her to accept the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, The Associated Press reported.

Navalnaya said she asked her father what he wanted to tell the E.U. lawmakers during the speech.

“He answered, ‘Say that no one can dare to equate Russia to Putin’s regime. Russia is a part of Europe, and we strive to become a part of it,” Navalnaya said.

“But we also want Europe to strive for itself,” she added. “We strive for a Europe of ideas, the celebration of human rights, democracy and integrity. And we don’t want a Europe of chancellors and ministers who dream of getting a job on the board of Putin’s state companies or sailing on oligarchs’ yachts.”

Navalny is currently in prison in Russia after he left the country in 2020 to recover from a poisoning, which he and Western nations believe was carried out by the Kremlin. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied any involvement in the incident.

Russia claims he broke his parole by leaving the country for treatment in Germany, and was sentenced to two and a half years in prison. 

European Parliament President David Sassoli called for Russia to release Navalny and said he was a political prisoner, according to the AP.

When it was announced that Navalny won this award back in October, he said he dedicated it to “all kinds of anti-corruption fighters around the world.”

“I dedicate my prize to all kinds anti-corruption fighters around the world: from journalists to lawyers, from officials (there are some, yes) and deputies to those who take to the streets to support this fight. I wish them perseverance and courage even in the scariest of moments,” Navalny said.