On 16 February 2024, the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) announced that Russian opposition activist and political prisoner Alexei Navalny died while serving a 19-year prison sentence in corrective colonyFKU IK-3, in the village of Kharp in the Russian Arctic.[1][2][3] Navalny's spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, confirmed his death the next day and demanded his body should be returned to his family as soon as possible prior to the completion of the Russian investigation of his body.[4] The exact cause of the death has not been provided officially. Navalny was 47 years old when he died.[2]
Navalny's death spurred numerous protests and gatherings in different countries, including Russia, where hundreds of protesters were detained.[5][6] Western officials and Russian opposition activists hold Russian authorities responsible for his death, and some accused Putin of murder, without citing evidence.[7][8]
Alexei Navalny was considered one of the most prominent critics of Russian president Vladimir Putin, having denounced corruption under his regime and unsuccessfully trying to run for president against him in 2018. In 2017, Navalny suffered eye injuries after being assaulted with a green-hued disinfectant by an unknown assailant. In 2020, Navalny was poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok and was evacuated to Germany for medical treatment.[2][9]
In 2021, before returning to Russia, Navalny took part in the filming of the Oscar-winning documentary Navalny. In the film's final sequence, he urged Russians not to give up if he is killed, saying that "this means that we are unusually strong at this moment, since they decided to kill me".[10]
Imprisonment
In January 2021, US President Joe Biden warned Putin that Navalny's arrest and possible death would bring "devastating" consequences to Russia.[11] He was imprisoned based on charges of fraud, extremism and violating probation.[12] The European Court of Human Rights ruled on 16 February 2021 that the Russian government should release Navalny immediately, with the court saying that the resolution was made in "regard to the nature and extent of risk to the applicant's life". In December 2020, a series of laws were also passed that gave the Russian Constitution precedence over rulings made by international bodies as well international treaties.[13][14][15][16] A few days later, a Moscow court rejected Navalny's appeal and upheld his prison sentence, however it reduced his sentence by six weeks after deciding to count his time under house arrest as part of his time served. Another court convicted Navalny on slander charges against a World War II veteran, fining him 850,000 rubles ($11,500).[17]
Protest in support of Navalny in Moscow, 21 April 2021
During his imprisonment, Navalny struggled with health issues and did not consistently receive medical care.[18]
In December 2023 he was transferred from a penal colony east of Moscow to the Polar Wolf "special regime" colony in Kharp, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, in Russia's Far North. The prison is known for its harsh conditions for prisoners, including reported torture of inmates, and according to Novaya Gazeta is reserved for "especially dangerous repeat offenders".[19][20] On 15 February, the day before his death, he appeared via video link at a court hearing, during which he made jokes and seemed to be in good health. At the time of his death, Navalny was serving a 19-year sentence,[21][2] and was in solitary confinement for the 27th time, having spent a cumulative 300 days in solitary confinement over the course of his sentence.[22][23]
Death
On 16 February, the Federal Penitentiary Service department for the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug published a statement that Navalny lost consciousness after a walk. He was attended by medical workers from the penal colony and an emergency medical team was called.[1][2] Referring to a statement by representatives of the Labytnangi City Hospital, several Russian state-owned news agencies reported that an ambulance arrived at the scene in less than seven minutes and performed resuscitation measures for more than half an hour.[24][25] Navalny was not revived,[1] and he was officially reported dead at 14:17 local time,[26] with reports of his death first appearing in the media at 14:19 Moscow Time.[27] His death was confirmed the next day by his spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh, citing an official notice delivered to his mother, Lyudmila. Yarmysh also called for his remains to be returned to his family.[28]
The Investigative Committee of Russia announced "a set of investigative and operative measures" into Navalny's death.[29] His body is likely to be sent back to Moscow for an autopsy, and establishing the cause of death may take several weeks.[30] The Polar Wolf penal colony claimed it sent Navalny's body to the morgue in Salekhard, but it was not found there.[31] The Investigative Committee of Russia informed the family that the body would be given to them after the cause of death was determined through an investigation; it had previously told them the investigation was complete.[32] The authorities legally can hold his body for up to 30 days.[33] Yarmysh alleged that the Russian authorities were trying to cover up the truth of his death.[34] According to Novaya Gazeta, the body was first taken to Labytnangi, then to a clinical morgue in Salekhard on the evening of the 16th. His body had bruises consistent with chest compressions, indicating that it was likely attempts were made to resuscitate Navalny.[35][36]
Alexander Polupan, a doctor who treated Navalny's earlier poisoning, was interviewed by Meduza. He questioned the rapid timing of medical care, noted that a detached blood clot (a possible cause of death claimed by Russian state media) cannot be verified without an autopsy, and said Navalny had no underlying conditions that would put him at risk of a thromboembolism.[37] His mother was told that he had died from "sudden death syndrome"; his lawyer was told that the cause of death was still unclear. There is no such diagnosis of death according to the ICD-10, which Russian doctors must follow.[38]
An inmate of the Polar Wolf colony noted highly unusual activity at the prison on the evening of 15 February, which seemed to indicate a surprise prison inspection.[39] He stated that the prisoners were locked in their barracks and a search was conducted on the morning of 16 February. The prisoner stated that they were informed about Navalny's death at 10:00, well before the 14:00 press release on Navalny's death. The prisoner also noted that first aid had only appeared after Navalny was already known to be dead. The prisoner's interpretation of the events was that Navalny had likely died on the evening of 15 February, and that it had been a surprise to prison authorities.[39][40] According to human rights group Gulagu.net, an official report states that several cameras in the penal colony were inactive on 16 February. Gulagu.net interpreted this as the result of FSB officers arriving at the prison on 14 February and disabling audio and video monitoring equipment. Gulagu.net stated that there were bruises on Navalny's body, which the medical examiner carrying out an autopsy on the body was told to attribute as having occurred post-mortem.[41]
Reactions
Domestic
Flowers at the Solovetsky Stone in Saint Petersburg on 17 February
Navalny's wife Yulia Navalnaya said all those responsible for the death of her husband "will be held accountable" but said she did not know "whether to believe or not this terrible news that we're only receiving from government sources", adding that she could not trust Putin's government as "they lie constantly".[29] Navalny's mother, Lyudmila, said she did not "want to hear any words of sympathy", adding, "My son was seen in prison on the 12th. He had a visit. He was alive, healthy and cheerful."[42]Maria Pevchikh, the head of the board of the Anti-Corruption Foundation founded by Navalny, said that he would "live on forever in millions of hearts," and asserted that he was murdered.[43]
On the day Navalny's death was announced, opposition politician Boris Nadezhdin, who unsuccessfully attempted to file his candidacy for the 2024 Russian presidential election, called Navalny "one of the most talented and bravest people in Russia I ever knew."[44] Nadezhdin's political party, Civic Initiative, released a statement calling Navalny's death "a political murder".[45]Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a former oligarch in exile in London, urged Russians to vote for Navalny in the 2024 presidential election as a mark of protest. He also called for Western nations to declare Putin's government, the presidential election, and its result illegitimate.[46][47]Leonid Volkov, a Russian opposition politician living in Lithuania, stated: "If this is true, then not 'Navalny died,' but 'Putin killed Navalny' and only that."[42] Exiled opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov said: "Even if Alexei died from 'natural' causes, they were caused by his poisoning and further prison torture. The blood is on Putin's hands."[42]
Dmitry Muratov, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and editor-in-chief of the Latvia-based Novaya Gazeta newspaper, expressed his condolences to Navalny's family. Muratov called the death murder, adding: "Alexei Navalny was tortured and tormented for three years. As Navalny's doctor told me: the body cannot endure such things. Murder was added to Alexei Navalny's sentence."[48] Human rights campaigner Oleg Orlov, co-chairman of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights group Memorial, said Navalny's death in prison was a "crime of the regime".[49] Writer and journalist Mikhail Zygar said that Navalny "was our future for so long. Now we don't have that future anymore." Veteran human rights activist Lev Ponomaryov declared: "There are still many of us. We need to act together." The best-selling Russian crime writer Boris Akunin said: "There is nothing more the dictator [Putin] can do to Navalny. Navalny is dead and has become immortal."[50]
One of Navalny's lawyers, Leonid Solovyov, told Novaya Gazeta that Navalny was "normal" when a lawyer saw him on 14 January.[48]
Russians began bringing flowers to monuments to victims of political repression in cities across the country.[51] By 17 February, more than 400 people had been detained by authorities in 36 cities for taking part in the gatherings, according to Russian human rights group OVD-Info.[52] Among those arrested was a priest who intended to hold a mass for Navalny.[53] In some cities, flowers were removed and the police took photos of people laying flowers in memory of Navalny.[54][55] People laid flowers at Moscow's Solovetsky Stone and the Wall of Grief.[56] The Moscow Prosecutor's Office warned Russians against mass protests.[57]
The Russian independent media outlet Agentstvo reported that within 30 minutes of Navalny's death being announced, the ruling United Russia party issued a message to its deputies in the State Duma to "keep strictly in line with the Federal Prison Service's version [or] better to refrain from commenting at all".[62] Russian state-controlled media provided minimal coverage of Navalny's death.[63]
In response to international condemnation over Navalny's death, foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized Western countries for having "its conclusions ready".[64] Peskov himself later described foreign leaders' reactions as "absolutely rabid".[65] Putin's close associate Vyacheslav Volodin, Speaker of the State Duma, blamed Navalny's death on "Washington", "Brussels" and various critics of the Kremlin in "unfriendly countries".[57]A Just Russia – For Truth leader Sergey Mironov stated that Navalny's death was beneficial for "Russia's enemies".[66]
International
Demonstration after death of Navalny in Bremen, Germany
Direct or indirect accusations against the Russian authorities in connection with Navalny's death have been made by many leaders of Western countries and representatives of major international organizations.[67] Leaders of prominent countries in the "Global South", along with most of the post-Soviet states in Central Asia and the Caucasus, did not issue official reactions to the news.[68]
On 18 February, US ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy and UK ambassador Nigel Casey publicly laid flowers in honor of Navalny at the Solovetsky Stone in Moscow.[69]
Governments
Australia: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tweeted that the country mourned Navalny's "tragic death", and called his treatment "unforgivable".[70] Foreign minister Penny Wong said that Navalny's "heroic opposition to Putin's repressive and unjust dictatorship had inspired the world", and that Australia held the Russian government "solely responsible".[71]
Belgium: Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said Navalny’s death "again underscores why we continue to support Ukraine" against the Russian invasion.[72]
Bulgaria: Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov called Navalny a symbol of the struggle against dictatorship in Russia and emphasized the value of democracy.[73][74]
Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Navalny's death "has us all reeling. It's something that has the entire world being reminded of exactly what a monster Putin is. There is no question that Alexei Navalny is dead because he stood up to Putin, he stood up to the Kremlin. He stood for freedom and democracy and the right of the Russian people to choose their future, and that was something that Putin was deeply afraid of, as he should be."[75] Foreign minister Mélanie Joly tweeted that Navalny "gave his freedom in the hopes of a better, more democratic future for the Russian people", and wrote that his death represented a "painful reminder of Putin's continued oppressive regime".[76]
China: Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning declined to comment on Navalny's death, describing it as "Russia's internal affair".[77]
Czech Republic: Foreign minister Jan Lipavský wrote that Russia was "treating its citizens like it treats its foreign policy", and that it "has turned into a violent state that kills people who dream of a better future, like Nemtsov or now Navalny – imprisoned and tortured to death for standing up to Putin".[76]
Estonia: Prime Minister Kaja Kallas wrote that Navalny's death was "yet another dark reminder of the rogue regime we're dealing with – and why Russia and all those responsible must be held accountable for each of their crimes".[78] Foreign minister Margus Tsahkna stated that the news demonstrated the "heartless, aggressive and destructive power" of Putin.[79]
Finland: Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said that responsibility for Navalny's death lay with the Russian leadership and offered condolences to his family. President Sauli Niinistö also expressed similar opinions in a social media post.[80]
France: President Emmanuel Macron wrote: "I salute the memory of Alexeï Navalny, his commitment, his courage."[42]
Georgia: President Salome Zourabichvili called Navalny's death "a tragedy for all democracy and human rights defenders" and expressed her condolences for his family and "those who in Russia continue his fight for democracy".[46]
Germany: Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that he "paid for his courage with his life".[81]
Greece: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated "Navalny fought fiercely for democracy and stood up to a brutal, authoritarian regime. A regime that made sure Navalny paid for his bravery first with his freedom, and now with his life. Our thoughts are with his family."[82]
Ireland: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: "Russia is a deeply oppressive State and that anyone who challenges President Putin risks their lives." Tánaiste Micheál Martin said Navalny's death "underpins the lack of respect for the rule of law and protection of human rights in Russia".[83]
Italy: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that Navalny's death was "disturbing", and served as a warning to the rest of the world.[76]
Latvia: President Edgars Rinkēvičs offered condolences to Navalny's family and friends and stated that Navalny "was just brutally murdered by the Kremlin. That's a fact and that is something one should know about the true nature of Russia's current regime."[84][85][46]
Lithuania: President Gitanas Nausėda blamed the Russian government for the death of Navalny and called for action to be taken.[86]
Moldova: President Maia Sandu expressed her condolences to Navalny's family and to "all democratically-minded Russians, and those bravely fighting for freedom and democracy within Russia and abroad".[42]
Netherlands: Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that Navalny "fought for democratic values and against corruption", and paid "for his struggle with death while he was held under the harshest and most inhumane conditions".[65]
New Zealand: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said that he was "saddened to hear" of Navalny's death and called him a "fierce advocate of freedom and anti-corruption".[87]
Norway: Foreign minister Espen Barth Eide wrote on X: "The Russian Government bears a heavy responsibility."[76]
Poland: Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X: "Alexei, we will never forget you. And we will never forgive them."[88]
Romania: President Klaus Iohannis expressed his condolences to his family and friends on X, and urged the Russian authorities to conduct a transparent and coherent investigation.[89][90]
Spain: Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his condolences to "his family and friends and to all those in Russia who defend democratic values and pay for it the highest of prices".[88]
Sweden: Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson tweeted: "The Russian authorities, and President Putin personally, are responsible for Alexei Navalny no longer being alive".[91]
United Kingdom: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that Navalny "demonstrated incredible courage throughout his life" and that his death was "terrible news".[92] Foreign secretary and former prime minister David Cameron said that "We should hold Putin accountable for this" and that "There should be consequences".[93] The UK government summoned diplomats from the Russian embassy in London to emphasize its position that it held Russian authorities "fully responsible" for Navalny's death.[94]
United States: President Joe Biden praised Navalny's legacy, saying he "was everything Putin is not. He was brave, he was principled, he was dedicated to building a Russia where rule of law existed and where it applied to everybody", and, stating that he held Putin responsible, added that he was "both not surprised and outraged" by reports of Navalny's death in prison.[95] Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the "fixation and fear of one man only underscores the weakness and rot at the heart of the system that Putin has built. Russia is responsible for this."[96] National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan called the news "a terrible tragedy".[97] Vice President Kamala Harris called it another example of "Putin's brutality" and that "Russia is responsible".[98]
Intergovernmental organizations
European Union: President of the European CouncilCharles Michel said that Navalny "fought for the values of freedom and democracy", and that "[for] his ideals, he made the ultimate sacrifice".[65] European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote that she was "deeply disturbed and saddened" by news of Navalny's death.[99] In a joint statement, von der Leyen and Vice President Josep Borrell stated that the EU will do whatever it can to hold Russia accountable for his death, and demanded the release of all other political prisoners.[100]
NATO: Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that he was "saddened and disturbed by reports coming from Russia" and called for an investigation into the death of Navalny.[101]
United Nations: Secretary-General António Guterres called for a full investigation of Navalny's death.[65]OHCHR spokesperson Liz Throssell stated: "If someone dies in the custody of the State, the presumption is that the State is responsible – a responsibility that can only be rebutted through an impartial, thorough and transparent investigation carried out by an independent body."[102]Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Alice Jill Edwards, said that several UN independent experts, including herself, urged the Russian government to end the punitive conditions in which Navalny was held, adding that their "appeals to the Kremlin" were "blatantly ignored" with complete "disregard for human life".[65] The UN Special Rapporteur on the Russian Federation, Mariana Katzarova, demanded the release of other Russian political prisoners, including Vladimir Kara-Murza, Ilya Yashin and Alexei Gorinov.[103]
Foreign opposition leaders
Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya wrote: "My heart is with his family today. This tragedy is further proof that for dictators, human life holds no value."[42] Head of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, Ali Karimli, stated that "the killing of [...] Alexei Navalny is one of the most shameful pages in Russian history"[104] and described him as "a very determined, talented and brilliant politician".[104]
Human rights organisations
Amnesty International Secretary General Agnès Callamard called on the "United Nations to employ its special procedures and mechanisms to address the death".[88]Human Rights Watch's executive director Tirana Hassan said: "The Russian authorities bear full responsibility for what has happened to Navalny."[105]
Public
A makeshift memorial at the Russian embassy in Poland.
Rallies were held in honor of Navalny in Argentina, Armenia, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK, and the US.[106][55][107][108][109][110][111] In Turkey, police detained protesters and broke up rallies.[112] Mourners laid flowers in Navalny's honor in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and Almaty, Kazakhstan, where many Russians have fled since 2022 to avoid mobilization in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[113]
An exhibit dedicated in memory of Navalny and other Russian dissidents was opened at the Helsinki Central Library Oodi on 17 February.[114]
^""Not dead, but murdered." Russia and the world mourn Alexei Navalny". Mediazona. 17 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024. Upon his return to Russia from treatment in Germany, Navalny was arrested at a Moscow airport and sent to a penal colony where he had no access to civilian medical care. By March 2021, Navalny lost the ability to put weight on one leg due to "traveling in a cramped position" during court transfers. He developed spinal issues after being transferred to a Vladimir colony. In December 2022, after Navalny complained, he received unspecified injections. In January 2023, he fell ill after sharing a cell with a roommate "who had issues with personal hygiene." Throughout 2023, he struggled to receive dental care.
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