Alexei Navalny, prominent Russian opposition leader, has been confirmed dead by his spokesperson on Saturday. Navalny’s team alleges that he was murdered, although the whereabouts of his body remain uncertain.
According to Kira Yarmysh, Navalny’s spokesperson, an official document given to Navalny’s mother stated that he passed away at 2:17 p.m. local time on Friday. However, the prison colony where Navalny was held claimed that his body was transferred to the nearby city of Salekhard for investigation purposes.
Upon visiting the morgue in Salekhard, Navalny’s lawyer found it closed, and subsequent inquiries revealed that Navalny’s body was not present. Another lawyer was informed by the Investigative Committee in Salekhard that investigations into Navalny’s death are ongoing, with results expected next week.
Navalny’s team expressed frustration, accusing authorities of lying and obstructing the release of his body. They demand the immediate handover of Navalny’s remains to his family.
The Russian Federal Penitentiary Service reported that Navalny fell ill and lost consciousness after a walk at the penal colony in Kharp, Yamalo-Nenets region, approximately 1,900 kilometers northeast of Moscow. Despite efforts by medical personnel, he could not be revived. The cause of death is still under investigation.
Maria Pevchikh, head of Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation, asserted that Navalny was murdered, vowing that he would live on in the hearts of millions.
Following Navalny’s death, protests erupted in various Russian cities. Over 100 people were detained on Friday for attempting to lay flowers in his memory at sites commemorating victims of Soviet-era purges. Despite the removal of tributes overnight, individuals continued to pay respects with flowers on Saturday.
In Moscow, police clashed with protesters, and similar incidents were reported in St. Petersburg and other cities. Authorities cordoned off memorials and intimidated attendees by recording personal information.
International reactions poured in following Navalny’s demise. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Putin as a “thug” responsible for Navalny’s murder. U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron promised action against those accountable for Navalny’s death, while U.S. President Joe Biden implicated Putin and his administration.
The Kremlin has rejected accusations, stating that a conclusive verdict on the cause of Navalny’s death is pending. Navalny had been incarcerated since January 2021 after returning to Russia from Germany, where he received treatment for nerve agent poisoning, which he attributed to the Kremlin.
Navalny’s passing occurs just weeks before an election that will extend Putin’s rule for another six years. Observers view Navalny’s death as a grim illustration of the risks faced by opposition figures in Russia.
Hours after Navalny’s death, his wife, Yulia Navalnaya, made a poignant appearance at the Munich conference, expressing skepticism about official reports and holding Putin and his allies accountable for her husband’s fate.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
