Alexei Navalny: Putin critic’s mother ‘given hours to agree
Alexei Navalny’s mother has reportedly been pressured to agree to a “secret” burial for the late Putin critic within three hours, or he would be interred at the Arctic Circle penal colony where he died a week ago, according to Navalny’s spokeswoman. Navalny’s mother claims she was coerced into signing a death certificate stating that he died of natural causes. However, Navalny’s widow, Yulia, alleges that he was killed on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin has denied these accusations, dismissing Western reactions to the death as “hysterical.”
Navalny, a prominent opposition leader, died on February 16th, with prison officials attributing his death to illness after a “walk.” His team has offered a €20,000 reward to security officers for information about his death, coupled with assistance in leaving Russia. Navalny’s spokeswoman stated that Navalny’s mother refused to negotiate with authorities, demanding adherence to the law, which mandates the release of the body within two days of establishing the cause of death—this deadline expires on Saturday.
US President Joe Biden met with Navalny’s widow and daughter in San Francisco, expressing admiration for Navalny’s courage and his fight against corruption for a free and democratic Russia. Subsequently, the US announced over 500 new sanctions against Russia, addressing both the invasion of Ukraine and Navalny’s death. These measures target Russia’s main card payment system, financial and military institutions, and individuals associated with Navalny’s imprisonment. The European Union also unveiled new sanctions related to access to military technology.
Navalny, a long-standing critic of Russian leadership, survived a poisoning in August 2020 with the Novichok nerve agent. After recovering in Germany, he returned to Russia in January 2021 and was imprisoned. Efforts to commemorate his death in Russia have faced harsh opposition from authorities, leading to the removal of makeshift monuments and the arrest of hundreds.
The circumstances surrounding Navalny’s death have intensified geopolitical tensions, with Western nations responding sternly through sanctions, while the Kremlin continues to deny any wrongdoing. The situation remains fluid, and global scrutiny on Russia is likely to persist.
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