/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/KLNGU3X22RIZPCSQNMYAJAJBRE.jpg "Russian dissident Navalny’s death, countries blame Putin regime | Reuters")
Alexei Navalny, 47, an anti-government activist who criticized Russia’s Putin regime, died in a prison in the northern Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. Photographed (2024 Reuters/Gonzalo Fuentes)
[モスクワ／ジュネーブ／ベルリン／ビリニュス １６日 ロイター] – Alexei Navalny (47), an anti-government activist who criticized Russia’s Putin regime, died in a prison in the northern Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. Russian prison authorities announced this on the 16th.
Navalny, a former lawyer, has advocated for democracy in Russia and at the same time accused the Putin regime of wrongdoing. With his death, Russia is now without an opposition leader as influential as Navalny.
Prison authorities said Navalny felt “unwell” after the walk and quickly lost consciousness. “Medical staff at the facility arrived immediately and called the emergency services. All necessary resuscitation measures were performed, but they were ineffective, and he was pronounced dead,” the statement said. “The cause of death is currently under investigation.” According to Presidential Palace Spokesman Peskov, President Putin has been informed of Navalny’s death.
When Navalny’s death was reported in the media, Russian state television was broadcasting a press conference by the head of Russia’s central bank. Russian prosecutors have warned people not to take part in large-scale protests in central Moscow following Navalny’s death. “It must be noted that this event was not coordinated with the city enforcement authorities in accordance with the procedures established by law.”
Videos posted on social networks showed people paying their respects to Navalny in other Russian cities after his death was announced.
Vigils were held across Europe to commemorate Navalny’s death. Up to 600 people gathered in the center of Germany’s capital Berlin, while more than 100 people gathered in front of the Russian embassies in London and Paris. Many people also gathered in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, to offer a moment of silence.
The United Nations human rights office called for a credible investigation into Navalny’s death. “When someone dies in state custody, the state is presumed responsible. “We call on the Russian authorities to ensure that a credible investigation is carried out.”
Russia’s Investigative Committee says it has opened an investigation into Navalny’s death.
Navalny’s wife, Yulia, told the Munich Security Conference in Germany that if his death is confirmed, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his aides will not be spared punishment. She called on the international community to unite against Russia’s “terrible regime.” See more US President Biden has announced that he is considering countermeasures against Russia following Navalny’s death. He said: “He is considering all options.” See more European Union President Michel said the Russian regime bears full responsibility for Navalny’s death. “Mr. Navalny fought for the values of freedom and democracy,” he said, adding that the EU “holds the Russian regime fully responsible” for this tragic death.See more
NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg said: “All the facts need to be revealed and Russia needs to answer all serious questions about the circumstances of his death.”
British Prime Minister Sunak said that he had shown “incredible courage throughout his life as Russia’s strongest defender of democracy,” while German Chancellor Scholz said that Navalny paid the price for his courage with his life. . French President Emmanuel Macron also condemned the attack, saying, “In today’s Russia, free spirits are thrown into gulags and sentenced to death.”
At a press conference in Munich, where he was visiting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, “President Putin doesn’t care who dies as long as he can protect his position,” and said that Mr. Navalny was clearly killed by Mr. Putin.
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