Alexei Navalny latest: UK first country to issue sanctions over ‘brutal’ killing of Putin critic in prison
The details of Alexei Navalny’s death remain unclear. His wife, Yulia Navalnaya, says that he was poisoned
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
The UK has frozen the assets of six Russian prison bosses in charge of the Arctic penal colony where opposition leader Alexei Navalny died.
Western leaders say the blame for Mr Navalny’s death lies with the Russian authorities, including Vladimir Putin. Yulia Navalnaya, Mr Navalny’s wife, has said she believes her husband was poisoned with Novichok.
“Those responsible for Navalny’s brutal treatment should be under no illusion - we will hold them accountable,” UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron said.
The UK is the first country to impose sanctions in response to his death, the Foreign Office said.
It comes as the Salekhard City Court, the city in which Mr Navalny’s body was supposedly transferred after his death, said it will consider the demand of his mother to have his body returned on 4 March.
Elsewhere, Vladimir Osechkin, founder of the human rights group Gulag.net claimed to The Times that he believed the Russian authorities kept Mr Navalny’s body out in the cold for hours before killing him, potentially with one punch to the heart. Claiming that former prisoners from the Arctic region had previously told of such deaths. The details of Mr Navalny’s death are still unclear.
Yulia Navalnaya makes renewed plea for her husband’s body to be returned
The wife of Alexei Navalny has made a renewed demand for her husband’s body to be returned to her “to be buried with dignity”.
Addressing comments by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, in which she called Yulia “boorish” for her accusations that they had murdered her husband with Novichok, Ms Navalnaya said: “I don’t care how the killer’s press secretary comments on my words.
“Give back Alexei’s body and let him be buried with dignity, don’t stop people from saying goodbye to him.
“And I really ask all journalists who may still ask questions: don’t ask about me, ask about Alexey.”
Read Yulia Navalnaya’s full speech at the EU Foreign Affairs Council
You can read the full Yulia Navalnaya speech at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council below.
Who is Yulia Navalnaya – the woman vowing to carry forward Navalny’s battle against Putin
Before the sudden death of her husband Alexei Navalny in a grim Arctic prison last week, Yulia Navalnaya had always played down the suggestion that she would one day take over as leader of Russia’s opposition.
But on Monday, as the 47-year-old widow alternated between rage and grief, she gave a powerful speech signalling that she would be there to help lead a shell-shocked opposition – a job fraught with danger.
“I want to live in a free Russia, I want to build a free Russia,” said the mother-of-two in a video message. Stepping out of the shadow of her dead husband, she called on his supporters to “share the rage” and “stand” with her.
Who is Yulia Navalnaya: Putin’s next political threat
Until Navalny’s death, his 47-year-old wife steered clear of politics and played down the idea of taking over as leader of Russia’s opposition
Moscow court rejects jailed US journalists’ appeal
Jailed US journalist Evan Gershkovich has appeared in a Moscow Court today to appeal the extension of his pre-trial detention - but it has been rejected.
The rejection of the latest appeal by the journalist’s lawyers means he is set to remain behind bars until at least 30 Marc, which would mark more than a year since he was taken into custody on an allegation of espionage that the WSJ and the US government vehemently deny.
“The Moscow City Court having considered the appeal against the ruling on the extension of the period of detention in respect of Evan Gershkovich left the court ruling unchanged and the appeal without satisfaction,” a statement read. “Gershkovich will remain in custody until March 30.”
Putin did not watch Yulia Navalnaya's video statement, Kremlin says
Russian President Vladimir Putin did not watch Yulia Navalnaya’s video statement, but her assertion that her late husband Alexei Navalny was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent is unfounded, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.
Asked about Navalnaya’s claim that Putin had killed her husband, Peskov said that he would not comment given that Navalnaya had recently been widowed.
But Peskov said that in general accusations that Putin was responsible for Alexei Navalny‘s death were absolutely unfounded and obnoxious.
Wife of jailed Russian opposition figure praises ‘superhuman’ Yulia Navalnaya
The wife of jailed Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza has praised the “superhuman effort” of Alexei Navalny’s spouse, Yulia Navalnaya, following the death of her husband.
Evgenia Kara-Murza, whose husband is currently serving a 25-year sentence in a Siberian penal colony in conditions near identical to what Alexei Navalny had been subjected to, applauded Yulia for “her fortitude and resilience”.
“Walking through hell with your head held high and a firm belief in your strength requires almost superhuman effort,” she wrote on X, sharing a speech by Ms Navalnaya.
“Like millions of people, I mourn with Yulia Navalnyana and admire her fortitude and resilience. And I share her rage.
CCTV appears to show Alexei Navalny’s body being transported in midnight convoy
CCTV cameras appear to show a Russian convoy transporting Alexei Navalny’s body from prison to a morgue.
The camera footage filmed overnight on 16 and 17 February, the same day as Navalny’s death, has been released by the Russian media outlet.
Cameras show the convoy crossing the Ob River south of Labytnangi, which is the only road between the Kharp prison and the Salekhard morgue, where it’s reported the politician‘s body is being held.
Mr Navalny’s mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, and his lawyers say they have been denied entry to the morgue to see his body.
CCTV appears to show Alexei Navalny’s body being transported in midnight convoy
CCTV cameras appear to show a Russian convoy transporting Alexei Navalny’s body from prison to a morgue. The camera footage filmed overnight on 16 and 17 February, the same day as Navalny's death, has been released by the Russian media outlet. Cameras show the convoy crossing the Ob River south of Labytnangi, which is the only road between the Kharp prison and the Salekhard morgue, where it's reported the politician's body is being held. Mr Navalny's mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, and his lawyers say they have been denied entry to the morgue to see his body.
Appeal of Alexei Navalny’s wife could prolong his legacy, says friend of family
The appeal of Alexei Navalny’s wife to continue the fight of her dead husband has rejuvenated a Russian dissident community still mourning the loss of its figurehead, a friend of the Navalny family has told The Independent.
On Monday, in a nine-minute video message laced with rage, Yulia Navalnaya, 47, said she would continue the fight of her husband for a “free Russia” and called on supporters to oppose President Vladimir Putin with greater fury than ever.
Grigori Chkhartishvili, the Russian-Georgian novelist who earlier this month was charged by a Moscow court in absentia for “justifying terrorism, said Yulia’s message was encouraging.
“Many were in despair after Alexei’s death, the prevailing mood was ‘there is no hope now’,” he said. “Yulia’s appeal changed the tide completely. Now everyone is full of hope and energy again.
“If she really goes into politics it might make a big difference. It would mean that killing Alexei would prove to be Putin’s mistake.”
He added: “Yulia has two potential capabilities. She is the only figure who can unite the divided opposition factions. And what’s even more important she appeals– on personal level – to many Russians who are now politically indifferent. Because she is attractive, emotional, because she is a woman, and because her story is powerful.
“We’ll see soon whether her declaration was made on the spur of the moment or whether it was in earnest. I hope it is the latter.”
Jailed Russian opposition figure says he found out about Navalny’s death yesterday
A jailed Russian opposition politician has expressed his anger over the death of Alexei Navalny, having found out only yesterday.
Ilya Yashin was jailed for eight-and-a-half years in December 2022 for spreading false information meant to discredit the Russian army, under a law introduced after Russia launched its invasion.
His arrest came after statements he made on his YouTube channel about war crimes allegedly committed by Russian forces in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha.
Mr Yashin wrote on X: “News comes slowly to the camp barracks, and I only learned about the death of Alexei Navalny yesterday. It’s hard to convey my shock. It’s hard to gather your thoughts. The pain and horror are unbearable.
“Alexey Navalny was my friend. So does Boris Nemtsov. We did a common cause and dedicated our lives to making Russia peaceful, free and happy. Now both my friends are dead. I feel a black emptiness inside. And, of course, I understand my own risks. I’m behind bars, my life is in Putin’s hands, and it’s in danger. But I will continue to stick to my line.
“Standing over Boris’s body in February 2015, I vowed to myself not to be afraid, not to give up and not to run. Nine years later, mourning Alexei, I can only repeat this oath.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies