MOSCOW. Feb 1 (Interfax) - Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev has described opposition activist Alexei Navalny as "a political chancer," whose activity has grown more cynical and unbridled over recent years.
"I will tell you what I think about Navalny, or citizen Navalny... Same as before, I view Navalny as a political chancer, a person who is using adventurist methods to try to make his way into power for personal gains, and there is no other way of putting it. But now his activity has grown much more cynical and unbridled than it was just a few years back," Medvedev said in an interview with Interfax and a number of Russian media outlets.
Medvedev also commented on Navalny's health condition. "As I understand, he has said lately that he is in good health. Ah well, he is in good health, thank God for that, so any arguments on this matter will probably be inappropriate in the future. But if the argument remains - and my colleagues from the Foreign Ministry and law enforcement agencies have repeatedly said so - the Russian side should receive information about his health, considering that no such information has been shared with us," Medvedev said.
If such information is received, it will be possible to make certain procedural decisions, he said.
As to the unsanctioned demonstrations, Medvedev said it was unacceptable to "pull" people into streets amid the coronavirus pandemic for the sake of achievement of political goals.
"In regard to the participation in various kinds of illegal rallies. In my opinion, this is a completely cynical stance, considering the situation in the country and the world at large, which makes any large gatherings dangerous: they may lead to the infection of numerous people. Nevertheless, people are being pulled into streets for the sake of achievement of selfish political goals," he said.
"In my opinion, this is unacceptable, however, the legal assessment of the entire situation should be given by law enforcement agencies," Medvedev said.
He also expressed his stance on the future of Navalny and commented on the claims made against Navalny by the penitentiary system.
"These claims should be resolved in what is called a proper procedural manner, i.e. in court. Naturally, the court is entitled to make any decision it deems to be adequate and fair under the circumstances. So, in this respect, we should wait for a court's judgment," Medvedev said.