Yulia Navalny, emotional and tearful, issued a stern warning against impunity for Vladimir Putin and his associates in her first remarks following the announcement of her husband Alexei’s death.
Navalny, a vocal critic of Putin’s regime, delivered her address at the Munich Security Conference on Friday afternoon. The Russian prison service earlier reported Alexei Navalny’s collapse and subsequent death during a walk, sparking outrage and accusations of a “brutal” assassination.
In her speech, Yulia Navalny called for international unity in combating the “horrific regime” in Russia, urging collective action against injustice.
Amidst global condemnation, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Ms. Navalny at the security conference, expressing condolences and emphasizing Russia’s responsibility for her husband’s death.
British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak described the news as “terrible” and praised Navalny’s unwavering courage throughout his life, extending sympathies to his wife and the Russian people.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned Putin, labeling him a “monster” and highlighting Navalny’s steadfast advocacy for democracy and freedom in Russia. Trudeau underscored the tragedy of Navalny’s death and its reminder of Putin’s repressive regime.
Alexei Navalny, a prominent anti-corruption activist and leading opposition figure, had been a vocal challenger to Putin’s rule, organizing protests and enduring multiple incarcerations. His sudden death, as Navalny’s team sought clarity amid Kremlin narratives, prompted Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics to denounce it as a Kremlin-orchestrated murder.
