Berlin, Germany: Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of leading Vladimir Putin critic Alexei Navalny, has alleged that her husband was poisoned with the Novichok nerve agent. She claims that the Kremlin is waiting for traces of the nerve agent to disappear from his body, as she awaits the results of the chemical examination. Navalny’s body has been kept for examination, raising suspicions of foul play.
Navalnaya has vowed to reveal the names of her husband’s killers, stating in a video message that “Vladimir Putin killed my husband.” His body was believed to have been taken to a morgue at the Salekhard District Clinical Hospital, with Navalny’s mother and lawyers being blocked from accessing the morgue.
The delay in handing over Navalny’s body has drawn criticism, with Navalny’s ally denouncing the Russian authorities for their actions. Nearly 400 people were detained in Russia as they paid tribute to Navalny at ad-hoc memorials and monuments to victims of political repression.
Meanwhile, foreign policy chief Josep Borrell of the European Union has called for an independent international investigation into the causes of Navalny’s death, as France and Germany also consider summoning the Russian ambassadors in Paris and Berlin. The widow has vowed to name her husband’s killers, alleging the Kremlin’s involvement in his death.
The circumstances surrounding Navalny’s death continue to provoke international concern, with calls for sanctions against Russia and demands for a transparent investigation into the tragic event. The aftermath of Navalny’s passing has drawn attention to the broader implications of his death, as political figures and activists worldwide call for justice and accountability.