Over 100 individuals arrested at Navalny commemorations in Russia

Unidentified groups removed floral tributes to Alexei Navalny, a prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin

Over 100 individuals were arrested in multiple Russian cities for laying flowers in Navalny’s memory.

Unidentified groups removed floral tributes to Alexei Navalny, a prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin.

Police detained people in Novosibirsk and Surgut, while in Moscow, flowers were removed near the Federal Security Service headquarters. Despite the removal, more flowers reappeared the following day. 

The surprise demise of Navalny occurred just weeks before an election extending Putin’s rule for another six years. 

According to Nigel Gould-Davies, a former British envoy to Belarus and expert on Russia & Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, this event demonstrates that dissent in Russia is met with incarceration and mortality. 

The details surrounding Navalny’s demise remain shrouded in mystery. 

The Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia stated Navalny fell ill following a stroll on Friday and lost consciousness at the correctional facility in Kharp, located in the Yamalo-Nenets region approximately 1,200 miles northeast of Moscow. 

Although medical assistance was promptly provided, resuscitation efforts proved futile; the exact cause of death is currently under investigation. 

Since January 2021, Navalny had been incarcerated after his return to Moscow, where he faced imminent arrest following his recovery in Germany from nerve agent poisoning, which he attributed to the Kremlin. 

Subsequently convicted on three occasions, Navalny asserted that each legal proceeding was politically motivated. He was handed a 19-year sentence for charges of extremism. 

In response to the final verdict, Navalny acknowledged he was effectively serving a life term, contingent upon either the duration of his existence or the longevity of the current regime. 

Following the announcement of Navalny’s passing, his spouse, Yulia Navalnaya, made a striking appearance at a security summit in Germany attended by numerous world leaders. 

She mentioned contemplating canceling her appearance, “but then I considered what Alexei would do in my position. And I am confident he would be present,” expressing uncertainty about trusting the information from official Russian channels. 

“If this is indeed accurate, I want Putin and all those associated with him, his allies, and his administration to understand that they will be held accountable for the harm inflicted upon our nation, my family, and my spouse. And the day of reckoning will arrive very soon,” his wife said. 

President Joe Biden of the United States stated that while Washington lacks precise details on the incident, “there is no question Navalny’s demise was a direct result of actions taken by Putin and his associates.” 

Navalny could have opted for a secure life in exile but chose to return home despite the risks of imprisonment or assassination “because of his profound belief in his homeland, in Russia.” 

Chancellor Olaf Scholz remarked in Germany that Navalny “has likely paid the ultimate price for his bravery with his life.” 

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed Putin had been informed of Navalny’s demise. 

The spokesperson for the opposition leader, Kira Yarmysh, communicated on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the team had not yet received any verification. 

Source: Newsroom