The details around the death of Alexei Navalny, the primary adversary of Vladimir Putin, remain unclear. His wife, Yulia Navalnaïa, will be in Brussels on Monday to meet European Union foreign ministers. This comes three days after her husband’s death in a Russian prison. Josep Borrell, the head of European diplomacy, confirmed on Sunday evening on X that he would be welcoming Yulia and that the EU ministers intend to send a strong message of support to Russian freedom fighters and honor Alexei Navalny’s memory.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has already expressed her support for Yulia following the announcement of Alexei’s death.
47-year-old Yulia Navalnaya holds Russian President Vladimir Putin “personally responsible” for her husband’s death and is calling for international unity to overcome “this terrifying regime”.
Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani believes that Yulia’s statements “will assist Europeans in understanding the violent system that needs to be faced and controlled in Ukraine.” He also spoke on the threat that Russian citizens and all regions of Europe face, where violence and war have returned in an unacceptable and irresponsible way.
Over the weekend, hundreds of people were arrested by Russian police in several cities for laying flowers and lighting candles at memorials for victims of Stalin-era repression in honor of Alexei Navalny. In St. Petersburg alone, 154 individuals were sentenced to up to 14 days in prison for violating demonstration legislation, according to public court records.
In Russia, protests and public opposition to the regime are illegal, particularly due to legislation prohibiting unauthorized gatherings. However, Lynne Tracy, the American ambassador to Russia, was seen at an impromptu memorial in Moscow, at the Solovetsky stone, a monument to victims of political repression.
Support for Navalny continues globally. At a concert, U2’s Bono spoke in favor of Ukraine’s freedom and against Putin before performing “Don’t Dream It’s Over” and encouraging the audience to chant Navalny’s name.
On Saturday, those close to Alexei Navalny accused Russian authorities of attempting to “cover their tracks” by refusing to release his body. According to the Russian opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta, Navalny’s body is in an Arctic hospital. The report, which could not be independently verified, claims that the body has visible bruises and has yet to be autopsied.
