In a video posted on social media, Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, vowed on Monday to continue his fight against the Kremlin. She accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of killing her husband in a remote prison and alleged that officials’ refusal to hand over the body to her mother-in-law was part of a cover-up. Authorities denied Navalny’s mother access to the morgue where his body is believed to be held. Navalnaya urged Russians to rally behind her and continue the fight against the regime.
Navalny’s death has deprived the Russian opposition of its most well-known and inspiring politician, less than a month before an election that is likely to give Putin another six years in power. Many Western leaders have already held Putin responsible for the death. The cause of Navalny’s death is still unknown, and the results of any investigation are likely to be questioned abroad.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the EU is considering sanctions against Russia and called for an independent international investigation into the causes of Navalny’s death. President Joe Biden mentioned considering additional sanctions on Russia. Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski urged EU counterparts to act on Navalnaya’s request for more sanctions on Putin’s backers.
Navalny’s death has led to protests and detentions in Russia, with nearly 400 people detained as they paid tribute to Navalny at memorials. Authorities have censored some memorials and removed flowers, but they keep reappearing. Over 50,000 people have submitted requests to the Russian government asking for Navalny’s remains to be handed over to his relatives.
Navalnaya stated, “By killing Alexei, Putin killed half of me, half of my heart and half of my soul. But I still have the other half, and it tells me that I have no right to give up. I will continue the work of Alexei Navalny.”
