Kristiina Ojuland, author. - Mr President, over the course of this parliamentary term, the human rights situation in Russia has steadily worsened and the judicial system has become more and more influenced by executive decisions. We have repeatedly called on Russia to undertake the reforms necessary to improve democratic standards, the rule of law and the independence of the judicial system. Instead, Russia’s authorities continue to utilise its courts in order to send harsh and unwarranted signals that criticism of the regime and freedom of speech are not tolerated.

In addition to the notorious Khodorkovsky, Magnistky and Pussy Riot cases, the recent guilty verdict against eight of the 2012 Bolotnaya Square demonstrators, as well as the forced psychiatric treatment of one of the activists, has been politically motivated. The corrupt regime in Russia has become confident in securing its position and does not hesitate to use all means to make this clear.

The EU is able to adopt effective measures, such as targeted sanctions against those responsible for these autocratic and undemocratic decisions, by refusing them entry into the European Union and freezing their assets there. As sanctions are a measure of last resort, I urge the Russian judicial authorities, once again, to reconsider the sentences in this appeal process.