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The European Union on Sunday stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin bears “ultimate responsibility” for the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, as it marked the one-year anniversary of his passing.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas paid tribute to Navalny, calling him a figure who “gave his life for a free and democratic Russia.” She also urged the immediate release of all political prisoners in the country.
“Today marks one year since the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, for which President Putin and the Russian authorities bear ultimate responsibility,” Kallas said in a statement.
Navalny, a prominent critic of Putin and an anti-corruption activist, died while imprisoned in a remote Arctic penal colony. Russian officials claimed he collapsed while walking in the prison yard but have never provided a full explanation.
“As Russia escalates its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, it also continues its internal repression, targeting those who stand for democracy,” Kallas added.
She condemned the continued imprisonment of Navalny’s lawyers and hundreds of other political detainees, calling for their immediate and unconditional release.
#UPDATE The EU on Sunday said that Russia's President Vladimir Putin bore "ultimate responsibility" for the death of Alexei Navalny, as it paid tribute to the late opposition figurehead on the one-year anniversary of his passing ➡️ https://t.co/HWKWngWs2b pic.twitter.com/8hSun9pfls
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) February 16, 2025
Gill Bikram Singh