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The death of Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny while in prison has sparked outrage and condemnation from world leaders. According to a statement from the local department of the Federal Penitentiary Service, Navalny felt unwell after a walk in penal colony No. 3 and almost immediately lost consciousness. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Navalny was declared dead.
Following the news, world leaders expressed skepticism and concern. Navalny’s wife, Yulia, expressed her doubts about the official media reports, stating that she has been in a situation for many years where she cannot trust the Russian government due to their continuous lying. She vowed that Putin and his staff will be punished for their actions.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that President Vladimir Putin had been informed of the report of Navalny’s death, but stated that there is no official information on the cause of death. Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte commented on the situation, expressing her lack of surprise at the news and calling the regime in the Kremlin an “assassin regime.”
Navalny’s spokesman also stated that there was no confirmation of his death yet, while others, such as Ivan Zhdanov, blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for the alleged political murder. The reports of Navalny’s death have led to public displays of grief and mourning, with people laying flowers at the buildings where Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation was headquartered. Vigils are planned in many cities across Europe.
U.S. national-security adviser Jake Sullivan described the news as a “terrible tragedy,” while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne also expressed their condolences and criticized the Russian regime. Similarly, European Council President Charles Michel stated that Navalny had made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting for freedom and democracy.
The death of Aleksei Navalny represents a major loss for the Russian opposition, as he had been a vocal critic of the Putin regime. Navalny had faced years of persecution and intimidation, including an alleged poisoning in 2020 and multiple politically motivated imprisonments. His death, if confirmed, raises concerns about the state of democracy and human rights in Russia, and highlights the ongoing challenges faced by opposition figures in the country.
