TALLINN, Estonia – The reported death of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny has sparked outrage and condemnation from world leaders and Russian opposition activists. Many are pointing fingers at President Vladimir Putin and his government, accusing them of being responsible for Navalny’s death.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Germany for the Munich Security Conference, asserted that Navalny was “killed by Putin,” and emphasized the need for Putin to be held accountable for his actions. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who had previously sheltered Navalny in 2020 after he was poisoned, lauded Navalny’s courage and spoke out against the nature of Putin’s regime.
Navalny, 47, was serving a 19-year prison sentence on extremism charges in a remote Russian penal colony at the time of his death. He had been behind bars since returning from Germany in January 2021, with many viewing his imprisonment as politically motivated. His death has raised suspicions and drawn criticism from leaders and activists across the globe, with many accusing Putin of orchestrating Navalny’s demise.
Navalny’s associates have expressed doubt and urged for official confirmation of his death from Russian authorities. His wife, Yulia Navalnaya, spoke at the Munich conference, stating that she cannot trust the Putin government and emphasizing that they will be held responsible for their actions.
The news of Navalny’s death has also prompted reactions from various other prominent figures, including former world chess champion Garry Kasparov and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The outcry has extended beyond political leaders, with Russian opposition activists calling for rallies at Russian embassies and vigils being planned in different parts of the world.
The swift and strong reactions from global leaders and activists reflect the widespread belief that Navalny’s death is a result of Putin’s authoritarian regime and a crackdown on dissent. The calls for accountability and justice for Navalny’s death are likely to continue, putting further pressure on Russia’s leadership.