Russia accuses US of ‘gross interference’ after being condemned for handling of pro-Navalny protestors

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on Sunday, condemned Russia for their ‘harsh’ response to protests across the country, calling for the release of jailed Opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

“The U.S. condemns the persistent use of harsh tactics against peaceful protesters and journalists by Russian authorities for a second week straight,” Blinken said on his official Twitter account.

“We renew our call for Russia to release those detained for exercising their human rights,” he added, after Russian police detained more than 1,000 people, including 142 in Moscow.

Authorities have ramped up pressure on the opposition with arrests and criminal probes, including several Navalny aides.

In response to Blinken’s statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry, in a statement, said: “US gross interference in the internal affairs of Russia is the same proven fact as the “promotion” of fakes and calls for unauthorised shares controlled by Washington by Internet platforms. Supporting the violation of the law by US Secretary of State E. Blinken is another proof of Washington’s behind the scenes role.”

“There is no doubt that actions aimed at promoting protests are part of a strategy to deter Russia. The State Department clearly adopted the “program” proposed in 2019 RAND Corp analytical center. It’s sad that the warning of the “high price and risks”′ of the implementation of this doctrine was missed,” the statement, posted on Facebook, further read.

Navalny, the main rival of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was detained at Moscow airport in mid-January after flying back to Russia from Germany where he was recovering from an August poisoning he blames on the Kremlin.