MOSCOW, RUSSIA – Alexei Navalny’s wife has accused the Kremlin of waiting for traces of the Novichok nerve agent to disappear from his body as she vowed to reveal the names of his killers. In a video message on Monday, Yulia Navalnaya said that Vladimir Putin killed her husband and that they know exactly why. The claims come as the bruised body of the Putin critic is believed to have been delivered to a morgue at the Salekhard District Clinical Hospital, according to an anonymous experienced paramedic who spoke to the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta Europe.
Furthermore, Mr. Navalny’s mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, and his lawyers were blocked from accessing the morgue on Monday morning, his spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Meanwhile, the widow of Alexander Litvinenko, who died in 2006 after being poisoned in London with Polonium 210, told Sky News the Russian President had “killed the most prominent politician and the hope of a new Russia” as she called for support from the West for critics of the “monster” Putin.
In other news, UK Foreign Office minister Leo Docherty will make a statement in the House of Commons following the death of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, according to No 10. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is also expected to hold a Cabinet meeting on Monday afternoon, bringing it forward from its usual Tuesday morning slot. After paying tribute to Mr. Navalny on Monday, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman told reporters that the Russian authorities saw him as a threat and fabricated charges against him.
Additionally, Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said there must be no “obstacles or roadblocks” to providing aid and support to Ukraine. He also highlighted that the reported death of Mr. Navalny while in detention is a reminder of the “repressive and oppressive” Russian regime.
Germany’s foreign ministry summoned Russia’s ambassador in Germany over the death of Alexei Navalny, the country’s most prominent opposition leader, a spokesperson for the ministry said. Germany expressly demands the release of all those imprisoned in Russia for political reasons, as it is shocking that people are being arrested in Russia for laying flowers in honor of Alexei Navalny’s death.
The response to Navalny’s death in Russia may have been unacceptable to the Kremlin, but it has sparked discussions about potential new sanctions against Russia by the European Union, according to German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. She mentioned that the EU will hopefully decide soon on a 13th package of sanctions against Russia, taking into consideration the death of Alexei Navalny.
As international leaders and Navalny’s allies continue to seek justice and support for his cause, the Kremlin’s involvement in his death remains a point of contention and outrage among many in the global community.