Statement on the arrest of 6 Russian activists

On June 6, 2023, Russian law enforcement authorities detained six democratic activists affiliated with the Youth Democratic Movement Vesna. Valentin Khoroshenin, Evgeny Zateev, Yan Ksenzhepolsky, Anna Arkhipova, Pavel Sinelnikov, and Vasily Neustroev have been placed into custody and are facing up to 10-15 years in prison for their former membership of Vesna movement and voicing anti-war opinions. 

European Liberal Youth (LYMEC) and the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) strongly condemn the political prosecution of these activists, some of which have played an active part in the international liberal youth. By these actions, the Kremlin once again shows its fear of democracy and free speech for which younger generations are longing. Speaking up against violence and terror should never be a crime. The real crime is the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and the numerous individual war crimes committed therein.

LYMEC and IFLRY call upon all liberal parties to speak up against these prosecutions and demand immediate release of the activists. We ask the Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament and liberal leaders worldwide to propose and advocate actively for sanctions against those involved in the oppression of democratic voices if they are not released.