PHOTO: A lady locations a lit candle subsequent to a poster of Russian opposition chief Alexei Navalny outdoors the Russian Embassy in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. (AP Photograph/Vadim Ghirda)
Three days after reviews of Alexei Navalny's loss of life within the Russian Arctic penal colony the place he was serving a 30-year jail sentence, his household has nonetheless not been allowed to view his physique.
Navalny's allies accuse authorities of making an attempt to cover proof.
A London newspaper quoted a supply as describing the physique as “bruised”.
“The physique was taken over by the investigative fee and they’re doing a little investigation with it,” mentioned Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh.
Russian authorities introduced that Navalny died of sudden loss of life syndrome. However most consider he was murdered.
In a brand new video, Navalny's widow mentioned: “We all know precisely why Putin killed Alexei, and we’ll inform you quickly.”
Navalny has been a number one voice for democracy in Russia regardless of being poisoned and almost dying in 2020. He returned to Russia towards the recommendation of many individuals and was arrested and imprisoned in its harsh penal system.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned: “Yesterday's loss of life of Alexei Navalny was a reminder of the extraordinary brutality of Putin and his authorities.”
Navalny appeared in excellent well being simply days earlier than his loss of life, laughing and joking about his trial.
The information of his sudden loss of life prompted outrage world wide. An impartial Russian human rights group mentioned tons of of individuals had been arrested for protesting Navalny's loss of life.
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham (SC) advised CBS Face The Nation that the U.S. must hit Putin onerous by designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.
“The terrorism designation sponsor is a recreation changer,” Graham mentioned. “It could enable for extra sanctions … it will enable Navalny's household to go to a US courtroom and sue Putin's Russia for killing their liked one.”
Republican Congressman Mike Turner advised NBC Meet The Press that he prayed with Navalny's widow in Germany and that the US ought to reply with extra navy help for Ukraine. The Senate handed the overseas support invoice, however the Home launched its personal model.
“Vladimir Putin is a murderous thug, and I feel in gentle of Navalny's loss of life, we needs to be a lot stronger in funding Ukraine and pushing this within the Home and Senate, supporting Ukraine and sending a message to Putin,” he mentioned.
A lot of the Russian opposition is both useless, in exile or in jail. With Navalny's loss of life, many are questioning if that is the top of political dissent in Russia.
Alexei Navalny was as soon as requested what he would say to Russians if he had been killed for difficult President Vladimir Putin. He mentioned, “You have to not surrender. In the event that they determine to kill me, it means we’re extremely robust…”
