Allegations of foul play swirl in the upper echelons of the Russian government where assassinations of political enemies are all too common.
Last week, Alexei Navalny died under mysterious circumstances. He was an election reform activist who publicly condemned President Vladimir Putin.
Since 2021, Navalny has been imprisoned at a notorious Arctic penal colony, where many who oppose Russia’s war with Ukraine are serving time. Navalny was serving a 30-year sentence on what many viewed as fabricated embezzlement and fraud charges.
Navalny’s family was initially told that Alexei suffered a blood clot while taking a walk. However, when Alexie’s mother arrived at the prison, officials told her Alexei died of “sudden death syndrome.”
His mother reported that bruises were visible on Alexie’s body and that officials have thus far refused to release the body to the family for burial.
The former attorney, blogger and radio host became a target of the Kremlin after he used his platforms to criticize government officials — accusing many of corruption.
Navalny garnered a significant following and was considered by many as the only serious political threat to Putin in a free and fair election.
Several years ago, medical officials confirmed an assassination attempt on Navalny after he criticized the Russian government. At that time, the nerve agent Novichok — a known technique of Russian covert operatives — was found in his system after he collapsed and fell into a coma.
Alexei’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya, has accused Putin of ordering Alexei’s death. “Vladimir Putin killed my husband,” Yulia claimed.
Yulia Navalnaya vows to continue husband Alexei’s fight and says Putin killed him – The Guardian https://t.co/PVxiCa2obV
— Sheila GreatrexWhite (@SGreatrexWhite) February 19, 2024
“We know exactly why Putin killed Alexei three days ago,” she added. “We will tell you about it soon. We will definitely find out who exactly carried out this crime and how exactly. We will name the names and show the faces.”
After boldly accusing Putin of murder, Yulia told followers she would continue her husband’s work and called on supporters to do the same.
Large-scale gatherings to honor Navalny have led to hundreds of arrests, with government officials removing makeshift memorials across the country under the cover of night.
