Russia: EU blames Putin for Navalny’s death

Germany and the other 26 EU states are jointly accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of being responsible for the death of his political opponent Alexei Navalny. “The European Union is shocked by the death of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, for which President Putin and the Russian authorities ultimately bear responsibility,” said a statement released by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. The EU will spare no effort to hold Russia’s political leadership and the Russian authorities accountable – including through sanctions.

The EU also calls on the Russian authorities to facilitate an independent and transparent international investigation into the circumstances of Navalny’s sudden death and to release people arrested at mourning rallies. Russia has been repeatedly called upon to ensure Navalny’s safety and health.

Regarding Navalny himself, the statement says that throughout his life he has shown incredible courage and commitment to his country and his fellow citizens in fighting corruption. That is why Putin and his regime were afraid of him, also in connection with Russia’s ongoing illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and the Russian presidential elections in March. Navalny’s shocking death is another sign of the accelerating and systematic repression in Russia.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, among others, had previously expressed herself even more clearly. She assumes that Navalny was deliberately murdered.

The EU sanctions instrument for punishing serious human rights violations should also be named after Navalny. The foreign ministers of the EU states had agreed to his proposal, said Borrell. The renaming will be a way to keep Navalny’s memory alive. In the future, the sanctions regime should be called the global Navalny sanctions regime in the area of ​​human rights.

The tool was first used in 2021 to punish Russian state officials for imprisoning Navalny – it has now also been used against people from several other countries. Those affected must have their accounts and other assets frozen in the EU. In addition, people are no longer allowed to enter the EU or do business with EU citizens.

Biden is considering further sanctions against Russia

The US government is not ruling out further sanctions against Moscow following the death of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny. “We have already imposed sanctions, but we are considering additional sanctions,” Biden said in response to a question from a reporter in Washington. A few days earlier, he had blamed Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin for the death of the opposition figure.

With a view to passing billions in Ukraine aid in the US Congress, the Democrat said that he was not sure whether Navalny’s death would make a difference and whether the Republicans would give up their blockade stance. The behavior of the Republican members of the House of Representatives was “shocking.” They would run away from the Russian threat and their obligations. Biden also said he would be open to meeting the chamber’s Republican leader, Mike Johnson.

Navalny’s widow announces fight against Putin

In an emotional declaration of war on Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, Alexei Navalny’s widow has announced that her husband’s opposition work will continue. “I will continue Alexei Navalny’s cause, fight for our country. I call on you to stand by my side,” said Yulia Navalnaya in a stirring video message published on YouTube.

It remains unclear whether the 47-year-old economist wants to return to Russia for opposition work. She would also risk prison camps there because the Navalny movement is classified as extremist. She was in Brussels on a visit.

In the video, the mother of two tearfully accused Putin of not only killing her husband. Putin also tried to deprive Russia of hope for freedom and justice. That’s why she now wants to continue her husband’s fight. In the video, which included many private pictures and recordings of Navalny’s public appearances, she accused Putin of murdering her husband. “Three days ago, Vladimir Putin killed my husband Alexei Navalny,” she said.

Her husband was tortured and tormented to death in the prison camp and repeatedly locked in solitary confinement in a small concrete box. The name of the person who carried out the murder on behalf of Putin will be published shortly, she announced.

“I’m not afraid”

In the video, Navalnaya also showed a picture of the mother looking for her dead son in the polar region. Putin took away her dearest and most valuable person, half of her soul and heart, said Navalnaya. “But I have a second half – and it tells me that I have no right to give up.” Like her husband, she will therefore fight against injustice and corruption and for a free Russia.

“I’m not afraid,” she said, also referring to a statement by Navalny, who had repeatedly called on people in Russia to resist Putin. Those who seek to erase Russia’s future should be pursued with anger and hatred.

Kremlin: Investigation into cause of death ongoing

According to the Kremlin, the investigation into the circumstances of Navalny’s death is still ongoing. Navalny’s team accuses the Kremlin, as in the 2020 attack with the nerve agent Novichok, of lying and stalling tactics in order to conceal the background of the fate of Putin’s opponent.

According to his team, the Russian authorities want to keep Navalny’s body under lock and key for at least 14 days. “The investigators have told Alexei’s lawyers and mother that they will not hand over the body,” wrote Navalny’s spokeswoman Kira Yarmysch on X (formerly Twitter). The reason given was “chemical tests” that were to be carried out on the dead person.

After the poison attack on Navalny in 2020, Putin said he personally gave permission for the Russian opposition leader to be flown to Berlin for treatment at the Charité. He was complying with a request from his wife.

According to Interfax, Peskov did not comment on the question of how Putin reacted to the death of his most important opponent. The Kremlin chief, who is blamed for the death by Navalny’s team but also by Western governments, has not yet commented publicly on the case. According to media reports, there was a concert in Moscow at the weekend at which Putin’s supporters celebrated Navalny’s death. A video of the roaring crowd caused widespread horror in Russia.

Peskov rejected the accusations directed at Putin from the West. These are “openly brazen statements” that are absolutely inappropriate for state representatives. Russian human rights activists had also accused Putin of murder.

More than 400 arrests since Friday

According to its own information, the Citizens’ Initiative party has applied to the Moscow city administration for a memorial march for the dead opposition politicians Alexei Navalny and Boris Nemtsov. The party leader and former Russian Minister of Economy (1992/93) Andrei Nechayev published the scan of the application on his Telegram channel. The march is planned for March 2nd in central Moscow with up to 50,000 participants. Approval from the Russian authorities is unlikely.

Meanwhile, Russian courts have so far imposed more than 200 sentences in urgent proceedings against the mourners taking part in spontaneous remembrance. In St. Petersburg alone, the courts in the metropolis ordered arrest or fines against 199 people, and there were also several such administrative punishments in the Russian capital Moscow. In St. Petersburg, more than 154 people were held in a detention cell, most of them for several days. According to civil rights activists, there have been more than 400 arrests in more than 30 cities nationwide since Friday.

According to the protocols, the sentences in the St. Petersburg courts were imposed for disturbing public order after unauthorized gatherings in a public place. According to the law in Russia, this can result in a fine of up to 20,000 rubles (around 200 euros), community service or up to 15 days in arrest.