Navalny's spokeswoman confirms his death/ "Alexey was killed by Putin"

2024-02-17 16:17:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Navalny's spokeswoman confirms his death/ "Alexey was killed by

Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny's spokeswoman

The spokeswoman for the Russian opposition leader, Alexey Navalny, confirmed that they have received official notification of his death and requested that the body be handed over to the family. The United States blames Moscow for the death of the opposition leader in a remote Arctic prison. As VOA correspondent Patsy Widakuswara reports, Mr. Navalny was serving an extended prison sentence, widely seen as punishment for his years of criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Alexei Navalny last appeared by video link during a court hearing on Thursday 15 February, before his death in a high-security prison in the Arctic Circle was announced on Friday.

"What happened to Navalny is another proof of Putin's brutality. No one should have any illusions, neither in Russia nor elsewhere in the world. Putin doesn't just attack citizens in other countries, as we've seen happening now in Ukraine. He commits terrible crimes even against his own people," said the president of the United States, Joe Biden.

The Kremlin released a video on Saturday of Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulating Russian gas company Gazprom on its 31st anniversary, but made no mention of the death of the Russian opposition figure, more than 24 hours after the announcement was made.

Mr. Navalny's spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, declared that he had been killed and demanded that his body be handed over to his family.

"Alexei Navalny has been killed. His death occurred on February 16, at 2:17 in the afternoon, as written in the notice sent to Alexey's mother. The lawyer and his mother flew to Salekhard to get any confirmation of his death... We are awaiting the official report on the death and demand that Alexey Navalny's body be handed over to the family immediately," Ms Yarmysh said. in a YouTube message.

More than 100 people were reportedly arrested on Friday in several Russian cities who came out to lay flowers in memory of the late Navalny at monuments erected to victims of the Soviet era.

From the Munich Security Conference, US Vice President Kamala Harris also condemned Mr Navalny's death.

"Whatever version they show us, let's be clear. Russia bears responsibility," said Vice President Harris.

Other Western leaders condemned him to death, as did Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"Clearly he was killed by Putin. Like thousands of others who have been tortured, who have been tortured because of this creature. "Putin doesn't care who dies, as long as he keeps his position," President Zelenskyy said.

A fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and corruption within the Russian government, Navalny, 47, was serving a 30-year sentence in the prison where he died.

"His regime and Vladimir Putin must be held personally responsible for all the atrocities they have committed in my country, in our country Russia, over the last few years," said the wife of the deceased, Yulia Navalnaya.

In 2020, Mr Navalny was poisoned with a nerve agent, which he blamed on President Putin.

In a statement on Friday, the Prison Service of the Russian Federation said he died after not feeling well after a hike.

"In accordance with the laws in force, the Federal Prison Service was conducting examinations, clarifications and so on," said Dmitry Peskov, Russian President Putin's spokesman.

US President Joe Biden said he had warned Mr Putin during their June 2021 meeting in Geneva that if Mr Navalny died, it would have devastating consequences for Russia.

"We will talk to several other countries concerned about Alexey Navalny, especially if the reports turn out to be true," said US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

But analysts are skeptical of what other countries can do other than condemn Mr. Putin's actions.

"I don't think other countries in this case, even an extremely large and powerful country like the United States, can play any significant role in Russia's domestic politics," said Konstantin Sonin, of the University of Chicago.

During a hearing earlier this month, the late Navalny told prison staff to vote against Putin.

"You just have to vote for another candidate. I have compiled a list of people I am in contact with and their social contributions. I recommend you", said the deceased in the video link.

Critics say the Kremlin is preparing to orchestrate another victory in Russia's March election.

Mr. Putin has been continuously in leadership positions, as president or as prime minister, since 1999./ VOA