At least 110 citizens who gathered in various parts of Russian cities to pay tribute to Alexei Navalny, who died yesterday under unclear circumstances in an Arctic prison, have been arrested in the last 24 hours by Russian authorities, a human rights advocacy group said today.
Navalny, the best-known political opponent of President Vladimir Putin, lost consciousness and died yesterday after a walk in the ‘Polar Wolf’ prison colony, where he was serving a multi-year sentence, according to Russian authorities.
The 47-year-old was serving a 19-year sentence for ‘extremist activity’ in particularly difficult circumstances.
During his trials in recent months, in which he participated by video conference, Navalny looked thin and aged.
Alexey Navalny was murdered. His death occurred on February 16 at 2:17 p.m. local time, according to the official message to Alexey’s mother.
An employee of the colony said that the body of Navalny is now in Salekhard. It was picked up by investigators from the IC. Now they are…
— Кира Ярмыш (@Kira_Yarmysh) February 17, 2024
He suffered from health problems linked to his hunger strike in prison and his attempted assassination by poisoning in 2020.
His spokeswoman, Kira Yarmish, who yesterday said there was “almost no hope” he was alive, confirmed his death just today and called for his body to be handed over to his family immediately.
У мемориала жертвам репрессий куча автобусов, задержания, а коммунальщики готовятся убирать цветы pic.twitter.com/ux5Dr0eGzI
— SOTA (@Sota_Vision) February 17, 2024
According to Sky News, Russian citizens in several cities – including Moscow and St Petersburg – set up makeshift memorials to the Moscow critic in the streets, or gathered in other central locations to leave flowers and placards, which were then removed by police officers.
Navalny’s mother is on her way to the prison where her son died
Liudmila Navalny, the mother of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, is on her way to the penal colony where her son died, accompanied by his lawyer, Novaya Gazeta newspaper reported today.
Westerners demand that Russia be held accountable
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The British government summoned diplomats from the Russian embassy last night to make it clear that the Russian authorities are held “fully responsible” for Navalny’s death. London called for a “full and transparent investigation”, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a “credible” inquiry.
A “shocked” US President Joe Biden accused his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin of being “responsible for the death” of Navalny, “a strong voice for the truth”, while the EU also blamed “the Russian regime”.
Navalny’s mother travelling to Russian prison where he died – Novaya Gazeta https://t.co/V5vl3Adyh1 pic.twitter.com/qWsRtn26rj
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 17, 2024
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