Hannes Swoboda, S&D Group President, commented on the situation in Russia:

"We regret that the Duma does not hesitate to enforce measures against members of the civil opposition. We take note of Prime Minister Medwedew's call for the release of the members of Pussy Riot - although there is no role foreseen for the Prime Minister in judicial procedures. We hope that the judiciary will see it as positive input.“

"We will continue to watch the actions of Putin's government closely and will certainly not stop putting the spotlight on these kinds of cases."

Libor Roucek, S&D Group vice-president, criticised the recent deterioration in the legal framework of civil society in Russia.

"We are very concerned about the situation of civil society in Russia, particularly in view of the ambiguous provisions in the recently adopted laws on demonstrations, NGOs and defamation.“

"Russia needs to abide by international principles - principles that Russia itself has signed up to in many international fora - that a modern and prosperous country must advance and protect the individual and collective rights of all its citizens."

Céline BAYER, 13.9.2012, www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu