Alexei Navalny dies in prison; Russia investigating causes of death
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Alexei Navalny's death has been verified, and investigations are underway to determine the causes.
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Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny takes part in a march in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in Moscow, Russia, on February 29, 2020. (AP)
Alexei Navalny, a Russian opposition politician, has passed away in a prison located in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area, according to an announcement from the regional office of the Federal Penitentiary Service on Friday.
"On February 16, in correctional colony No. 3, convicted Navalny A.A. He felt unwell after the walk, almost immediately losing consciousness. Medical workers from the institution arrived immediately and an ambulance was called," the authority said in a statement.
Despite implementing all essential resuscitation efforts, no positive outcomes were achieved, as confirmed by emergency medical professionals. The convict's death has been verified, and investigations are underway to determine the causes of his death.
"In connection with the sudden death ... a commission consisting of managers and employees of the operational and medical units of the central office of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia is sent to the territorial body and institution," the statement added.
Danila Gontar, the head of the regional office of the Public Monitoring Commission in Russia's Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area, stated on Friday that there were no complaints from opposition politician Alexei Navalny received by the commission.
Simultaneously, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Friday that "as far as we know now, in accordance with all current rules, the Federal Penitentiary Service is engaged in all inspections, clarifications, and so on. That is, no instructions are required anymore, because there is a certain set of rules in this regard that the service is now guided by."
The spokesperson emphasized that the determination of the causes of death should be carried out by medical professionals.
In the same context, the investigation office of the Russian Investigative Committee in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area confirmed, on Friday, that a procedural inquiry into the death of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny has been initiated.
"The investigation office of the Russian Investigative Committee in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area has launched a procedural investigation into the death of Navalny A.A. ... In accordance with the procedure established by law, a set of investigative and operational measures is being carried out aimed at establishing all the circumstances of the incident," the authority said in a statement.
It is worth noting that Kommersant newspaper reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been notified of the death of opposition politician Alexei Navalny in prison.
EU rushes to blame Russia over Navalny's death
European Council President Charles Michel stated that the European Union holds Russia accountable for the death of Navalny and conveyed condolences to his family.
"The EU holds the Russian regime for sole responsible for this tragic death. I extend my deepest condolences to his family," Michel said in a post on X.
Alexei @navalny fought for the values of freedom and democracy. For his ideals, he made the ultimate sacrifice.
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) February 16, 2024
The EU holds the Russian regime for sole responsible for this tragic death.
I extend my deepest condolences to his family. And to those who fight for democracy around…
On his account, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said, on Friday, that the circumstances surrounding the death of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny need to be thoroughly investigated, and Russia should address significant questions.
"I am deeply ... concerned about reports coming form Russia that Alexei Navalny is dead. All the facts has to be established. Russia has serious questions to answer," Stoltenberg said ahead of the Munich Security Conference.
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