Moscow, Russia – Following the death of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, tensions have risen as his body has reportedly been transported to a hospital in the Salekhard District. His mother visited the morgue but was told his body was not there, prompting accusations from Navalny’s team that authorities are deliberately hiding his body to cover traces of murder.
Meanwhile, Evgenia Kara-Murza, the wife of imprisoned opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza, has accused President Vladimir Putin of believing he is “untouchable.” She expressed her concerns about the decades of impunity that have led Putin to perceive himself as invulnerable.
In the midst of the situation, concerns have been raised about the mysterious fates of Putin’s critics and rivals over the years, with questions lingering about the cause of Navalny’s death and the handling of his body. The news comes as at least 177 people have been reportedly detained for mourning Navalny’s death and laying flowers at memorial events, with passersby filming police detaining mourners in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
The death of Navalny, widely believed to have been orchestrated by the Kremlin, has sparked outrage and calls for accountability, particularly from international leaders. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have expressed outrage at Navalny’s death, further adding to the growing pressure on the Russian government.
As events continue to unfold, the circumstances surrounding Navalny’s death and the handling of his body remain shrouded in controversy, with his supporters and opposition members accusing the Russian authorities of attempting to conceal evidence of foul play. The situation is likely to intensify, with Navalny’s wife set to attend the European Union foreign affairs council to garner support for freedom fighters in Russia and honor the memory of her late husband.