MOSCOW (AP) – In the wake of the death of Alexei Navalny, the prominent Russian opposition leader, world leaders are condemning the Kremlin and calling for repercussions against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime. Navalny, a fierce critic of Putin, died in jail at the age of 47, sparking outrage and accusations of a “brutal” assassination.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned Navalny’s death, highlighting the “weakness and rot at the heart of the system that Putin has built.” The Siberian prison service, where Navalny was serving his sentence, reported that he fell ill after a walk and almost immediately lost consciousness. Despite efforts by medical staff, Navalny could not be revived, and the cause of death is still under investigation.
Navalny, known for organizing anti-Kremlin protests and exposing corruption in Russia, had become a symbol of opposition to Putin’s rule. As news of his death spread, world leaders and activists voiced their condemnation of the Kremlin, warning that his death amounted to being “brutally murdered.”
Some leaders, such as Latvian president Edgars Rinkevics, expressed strong words against the Russian government, accusing the Kremlin of a “brutal murder.” Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described Putin as a “monster,” emphasizing the extent to which Putin would crack down on those fighting for freedom in Russia.
In the midst of the international outcry, the UN human rights office urged Russian authorities to ensure a credible and impartial investigation into Navalny’s death. The investigation is now under the scrutiny of the Russian Investigative Committee, as the world waits for answers and demands accountability for what many are describing as a political assassination.