European Commission calls for immediate release of Alexei Navalny

The European Commission has called for the release of opposition leader Alexei Navalny after he was detained upon returning to his country. Mr Navalny flew to Russia from Germany, where he had spent five months recovering from nerve agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin. He was detained at passport control at Sheremetyevo airport after flying in Sunday evening from Berlin, where he was treated following the poisoning in August. Mr Navalny’s arrest prompted a wave of criticism from US and European officials, adding to existing tension between Russia and West.