US President Joe Biden has put the blame of Alexei Navalny’s death on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Navalny, 47, fell unconscious and died after returning from a walk in the Russian prison in the Arctic Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, where the colony is located.
Though causes of his death remain unknown Biden and other world leaders have been reacting to his passing.
“There is no doubt that the death of Navalny was the consequence of something that Putin and his thugs did,” Biden said.
Also leaders from various European countries and EU executives on Friday blamed the Kremlin Navalny’s sudden demise.
European Council President Charles Michel said on X that Navalny fought for freedom and democracy in Russia.
“The EU holds the Russian regime for sole responsible for this tragic death,” he said.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed condolences on Navalny’s death, saying on X, “Putin fears nothing more than dissent from his own people. A grim reminder of what Putin and his regime are all about.”
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a post on X praised Navalny as the most ardent supporter of democracy in Russia who demonstrated courage his entire life.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also said on X, “Like no other, Alexei Navalny was a symbol of a free and democratic Russia. That’s exactly why he had to die.”
French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne took a more direct stance against the Russian government over Navalny’s death, saying “Alexei Navalny paid with his life for his resistance to an oppression system. His death in penitentiary colony reminds us of the reality of Vladimir Putin’s regime.”
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson blamed Russia for Navalny’s death, saying on X, “The Russian authorities, and President Putin personally, are responsible for Alexei Navalny no longer being alive.”
Similarly, Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy accused the Russian government of “killing” Navalny during a joint news conference in Berlin with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
“It’s obvious to me that he was killed, like thousands of others who had been tortured to death. Because of this Russian leader. Putin doesn’t care who dies, as long as he stays in his position, and this is why he should lose everything, he should lose the war and he should be held accountable for the crimes that were committed on his behalf,” he said.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also held Russia responsible for Navalny’s death.
“Alexei 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,” he said on X.
Navalny was arrested in Jan. 2021 after being treated for poisoning in a German hospital. Western countries and Navalny himself blamed Russia for the poisoning, a claim the Kremlin denies.
Later in Aug. 2021, he was sentenced to 19 years in prison for extremism and other crimes. He was already serving an 11-year and five-month jail sentence for fraud. With AA reports
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny,