Guy Verhofstadt, a member of the European Parliament (MEP) from Belgium, has spoken out on the situation of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Verhofstadt

took to Twitter on April 15th to call for immediate hospital care to be offered to Navalny.

Navalny has been on a hunger strike in a Russian prison since the end of March, protesting against the lack of medical care he has received for various ailments, including back pain and numbness in his limbs. Navalny's health has been deteriorating rapidly, and there are growing concerns that he may not survive much longer.

Verhofstadt's tweet called for action from Europe in response to the situation. He called for Navalny to be offered hospital care immediately, and for sanctions to be imposed on those involved in his mistreatment if this offer is not taken up. Specifically, Verhofstadt called for the imposition of Magnitsky sanctions, which are targeted measures aimed at individuals accused of human rights abuses. He also called for the expulsion of all Russian diplomats if this offer is not taken up.

Verhofstadt's comments reflect the growing concern in Europe over the situation in Russia. Navalny's case has attracted widespread attention and condemnation, with many accusing the Russian government of mistreating and neglecting him. The situation has also raised broader questions about the state of human rights and democracy in Russia, and about the relationship between Russia and the rest of the world.

Verhofstadt is a well-known figure in European politics, and his comments are likely to be taken seriously by his colleagues in the European Parliament and in other European institutions. Whether they will lead to concrete action on the part of Europe remains to be seen, but Verhofstadt's intervention is a reminder of the gravity of the situation in Russia and the urgent need for action to address it. Photo by European Parliament from EU, Wikimedia commons.