Russian opponent Alexeï Navalny died on Friday in the Arctic prison where he was detained, the prison services announced, specifying that “the causes of death are being established”.
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The Kremlin’s number one adversary is dead. Russian opponent Alexeï Navalny died on Friday February 16 in the Arctic prison where he was serving a 19-year prison sentence, the prison services (FSIN) announced.
“On February 16, 2024, in penitentiary center number three, prisoner Navalny AA felt unwell after a walk (…) the causes of death are being established,” said the FSIN of the Arctic region of Yamal in a press release, assuring that rescuers had tried to save him.
“All the necessary resuscitation measures were carried out but did not give a positive result. The emergency doctors noted the death of the patient,” he said in this terse press release.
A 19-year prison sentence for “extremism”
The 47-year-old activist was serving a 19-year prison sentence for “extremism” in a remote Arctic penal colony, under very difficult conditions. His multiple trials had been widely denounced as political and a way to punish him for his opposition to Vladimir Putin.
Read alsoAlexei Navalny or the pitfalls of an anti-corruption activist
The Russian president was informed of the death, according to his spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, adding that the prison services were taking care of “verifications” and “clarifications” on the cause of death.
Outraged reactions from Western nations began to pour in. French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné posted on X: “Alexeï Navalny paid with his life for his resistance to a system of oppression. His death in a penal colony reminds us of the reality of Vladimir Putin’s regime.”
Alexei Navalny paid with his life for his resistance to a system of oppression.
His death in a penal colony reminds us of the reality of Vladimir Putin’s regime.
To his family, his loved ones and the Russian people, France presents its condolences.
— Stéphane Séjourné (@steph_sejourne) February 16, 2024
The EU holds “the Russian regime” “solely responsible for the tragic death” of Alexeï Navalny, declared the President of the European Council Charles Michel.
“Alexei Navalny fought for the values of freedom and democracy. For his ideals, he made the ultimate sacrifice (…) I send my sincere condolences to his family and to those who fight for democracy everywhere the world. Fighters die, but the fight for freedom never stops,” he said on X (formerly Twitter).
Alexei @navalny fought for the values of freedom and democracy. For his ideals, he made the ultimate sacrifice.
The EU holds the Russian regime for sole responsibility for this tragic death.
I extend my deepest condolences to his family. And to those who fight for democracy around…
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) February 16, 2024
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak deplored a “huge tragedy” for the Russian people. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he was “very saddened” by the death of Nalvany, who “paid for his courage with his life”. “Anyone who is committed to democracy must fear for their security and their life, and that is why we are all very sad,” he added during a press conference alongside the head of the Ukrainian State Volodymyr Zelensky.
Alexeï Navalny “has just been brutally assassinated by the Kremlin”, said the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkevics, while the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs declared that the Russian government “bears a heavy responsibility” for the death of the opponent.
Deeply saddened by the news of the death in prison by Alexei Navalny.
The Russian Government bears a heavy responsibility.
— Espen Barth Eide (@EspenBarthEide) February 16, 2024
His supporters were not informed of his death in prison, said his spokesperson Kira Iarmich, specifying that one of their lawyers was going there.
Poisoned in 2020
During various hearings in trials in which he participated by video in recent months, this tall blond with piercing blue eyes appeared thin and aged. He had suffered a series of health problems linked to a hunger strike and the poisoning he suffered in 2020 and which he miraculously survived.
Prison had not dampened his determination. During the hearings and in messages posted on social networks through his lawyers, he continued to insult Vladimir Putin, described as a “grandpa hiding in a bunker”, because the Russian president rarely appears in public .
In his trial for “extremism”, he castigated “the stupidest and most senseless war of the 21ste century”, referring to the Russian assault on Ukraine.
In his online messages, he was ironic about the bullying the prison administration subjected him to.
In a message on 1er February broadcast by his team on social networks, Alexeï Nalvany had called for demonstrations throughout Russia during the presidential election scheduled for March 15 to 17 and which should allow Vladimir Putin to remain in power.
With AFP