Navalny’s Passing Sends Shockwaves Across the Globe

Via Syndicated Feed

Cover Image Attribute: The file photo of Late Alexei Navalny on a march in memory of politician Boris Nemtsov, who was killed in Russia / Dated: March 2, 2020 / Source: Wikimedia Commons

The U.S. Ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracy, paid respects to the late Russian opposition leader, Alexey Navalny, by visiting a makeshift memorial in Moscow on Sunday. Navalny passed away at a remote Arctic penal colony on Friday. The U.S. Embassy in Moscow expressed condolences to Navalny's family, colleagues, and supporters, highlighting his resilience as an inspiring example. Ambassador Tracy was photographed laying flowers at the Solovetsky Stone in Moscow, a memorial symbolizing opposition to political repression and serving as a significant site for paying tribute to Navalny.
At another impromptu memorial, referred to as the "Wall of Grief," a bronze monument in Moscow commemorating Soviet-era repression, authorities have erected barriers to discourage mourners. Several police officers were observed nearby, although a few individuals were permitted to pass through the fencing and place flowers, as reported by an AFP journalist on-site.
The Russian government is quelling expressions of respect and remembrance for the deceased opposition leader. According to human rights organizations, authorities have arrested hundreds of individuals who gathered at impromptu memorials and monuments in numerous Russian cities to honour the late politician. Reports indicate that many of those detained have been handed sentences of up to 15 days in jail, while others have been fined, as confirmed by court officials on Saturday.
Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny's widow, expressed her love for him on social media Sunday alongside a photo of them together. The Instagram post displayed an image of them with their heads touching while watching a performance.
The sudden passing of Navalny, aged 47, has deeply affected many Russians who had placed their hopes for the future on President Vladimir Putin's most prominent opponent. Navalny continued to openly criticize the Kremlin relentlessly, even after surviving nerve agent poisoning and facing multiple prison sentences.
Following the latest verdict that sentenced him to 19 years, Navalny remarked that he understood he was effectively "serving a life sentence, determined by either the length of his life or the duration of the current regime."
Navalny's death news emerged a month before Russia's presidential election, widely expected to secure Putin another six-year term, and has resonated globally.
Western leaders, led by U.S. President Joe Biden, paid tribute to Navalny's bravery and, without offering evidence, accused Putin of being accountable for his death. Britain announced there would be repercussions for Russia.
Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley, speaking on ABC's This Week, squarely blamed the Russian president for Navalny's death, labelling the late opposition leader as "a hero." She accused Putin of eliminating him for fighting corruption and opposing his regime.
Haley criticized former President Donald Trump's recent remarks at a rally in South Carolina, describing them as "bone-chilling," where Trump allegedly suggested encouraging Putin to invade U.S. allies if they didn't meet their obligations. As of now, Trump has not directly commented on the Russian opposition leader's death.
The Kremlin dismissed the West's reaction as unacceptable and "completely rabid." Putin has yet to comment on Navalny's demise.
Uncertainties regarding the cause of his death persisted on Sunday. Navalny's team asserted on Saturday that he was "murdered" and accused authorities of intentionally delaying the release of his body.
Navalny's mother and legal representatives are encountering conflicting information from various institutions they approached in their efforts to retrieve Navalny's body. "They're leading us in circles and obscuring their actions," stated Navalny's spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh, on Saturday.
"Every part of the colony is monitored by cameras. Every movement he made was recorded from all angles over the years. Every staff member has a camera. Yet, no single video has surfaced or been released in two days. On Sunday, there's no room for doubt here," remarked Navalny's closest ally and strategist, Leonid Volkov.
Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service announced that Navalny felt unwell after a walk on Friday and lost consciousness at the penal colony in Kharp, located in the Yamalo-Nenets region approximately 1,900 kilometres northeast of Moscow. Although an ambulance arrived, they were unable to revive him. The service stated that the cause of death is still "under investigation."
Shortly after Navalny's death was reported, Yulia Navalnaya made a poignant appearance at the Munich Security Conference.
Navalnaya expressed uncertainty regarding the news from official Russian sources, stating, "But if this is true, I want Putin and all those associated with him, his friends, his government, to understand that they will be held accountable for what they have done to our country, my family, and my husband."
Navalnaya called on the international community to oppose Putin's "horrific regime."
IndraStra Global Staff has not edited this story, which is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.

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