Alexei Navalny ‘had to die’: how the world reacted to the death of President Vladimir Putin’s critic

Alexei Navalny, a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and a key opposition leader, has died in prison, Russian media TASS reported on Friday. Citing a statement from the Federal Prison of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region, the newspaper said the “inmate” “feeled unwell and almost instantly fainted” after a February 16 walk.

Navalny and Kremlin Spokesman Kremlin said he had “no information on this matter,” but here’s how leaders around the world reacted to Alexei Navalny’s death is.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak: “this is terrible news. As the most ardent defender of Russian democracy, Alexei Navalny showed incredible courage throughout his life. My thoughts are with his wife and the Russian people, for whom this is a great tragedy. ”

German Foreign Minister Annalena Verbock: “Mr. Navalny is a symbol of a free and democratic Russia, which is why he had to die.”

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy: “It is clear that Alexei Navalny was murdered by President Putin,” Zelenskiy said. Kyiv Post Office As you say.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz: He described reports of the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny as “very sad” and said it was a “terrifying” sign of how Russia as a country had changed in recent years.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: “deeply upset and sad Due to the news of the death of Alexei Navalny. The only thing President Putin fears is dissent from his own people. It’s a solemn reminder of what President Putin and his regime are all about. Let us unite in our fight to protect the freedom and security of those who dare to resist dictatorship. ”

Nobel Peace Prize Winner Dmitry Muratov: Muratov told Reuters he believed prison conditions led to Navalny’s death, calling the death a “murder.”

French Foreign Minister Stephane Séjourne: “Alexei Navalny paid the price for his resistance to the repressive regime with his life. His death in the penal colony is a reminder of the reality of Vladimir Putin’s regime. France extends its condolences to his family, his loved ones and the Russian people. ”

Tobias Bilström, Sweden’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, said: “Terrible news about Alexei Navalny… For reports His death in a Russian prison is true, and it represents another horrific crime by the Putin regime. The ruthlessness of Mr. Navalny shows once again why we need to continue fighting authoritarianism. ”

US President Joe Biden: “I told him (Russian President Vladimir Putin) that I believe the consequences (Navalny’s death in prison) would be catastrophic for Russia,” TASS quoted Biden as saying last year. “I made it clear,” he said.

What Russian officials said about Navalny’s death

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: Peskov said President Vladimir Putin had been informed of Navalny’s death.

Kira Yarmysh, Navalny’s press secretary, said: “We don’t have any confirmation on this yet. Alexei’s lawyer is currently flying to Karp. As soon as we receive any information, we will let you know.”

Leonid Volkov, a close aide to Mr. Navalny, said: Volkov said he could not confirm the death, adding that Navalny’s lawyer was on a trip to the prison grounds where the opposition leader was serving time.

Russian Investigative Committee: The commission said it had launched a procedural investigation into the death.

(Information provided by Reuters)