The prison authority in the Yamalo-Nenets region announced the death of imprisoned Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny. The Federal Penitentiary Service of the autonomous Yamalo-Nenets region stated on its website that Navalny "felt unwell" after walking on Friday and "lost consciousness almost immediately." They added that the medical personnel were summoned but could not revive him, and that the cause of death was being determined. The Russian Investigative Committee reported that it has launched a procedural investigation into the circumstances of the opposition politician's death. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that "the prison service is conducting all necessary examinations related to Navalny’s death," emphasizing that "we have no information about the cause of his death." Russian news agency TASS quoted the Kremlin as saying that President Vladimir Putin has been informed of Navalny's death.
In response to Navalny's death, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken indicated that reports of the opposition leader's death in prison, if accurate, highlight the "weakness and corruption" of the system built by Putin. Blinken stated in Munich: "First and foremost, if these reports are accurate, our hearts are with his wife and family." He added, "Moreover, his death in a Russian prison and the obsession and fear of one man only further confirms the weakness and corruption at the heart of the system that Putin has built. Russia is responsible for this." He further noted, "We will be discussing with many other concerned countries regarding Alexei Navalny, especially if these reports are confirmed."
French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné commented on Navalny’s death, saying he paid the ultimate price "for resisting a repressive system." He added, "His death in a penal colony reminds us of the reality of Vladimir Putin's regime."
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed deep sadness and disturbance about the reports concerning Navalny’s death, stating, "We need to present all the facts, and Russia must answer all serious questions regarding the circumstances of his death."
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak found the news of Alexei Navalny's death to be "horrific" and praised the late opposition leader. Sunak stated, "This is terrible news. Alexei Navalny, as the fiercest advocate for Russian democracy, demonstrated incredible courage throughout his life." He added, "I sympathize with his wife and the Russian people as this is a tragic event for them."
European Council President Charles Michel asserted that the European Union holds Russia responsible for Navalny's death, stating, "Alexei Navalny fought for the values of freedom and democracy." He further remarked, "He made the ultimate sacrifices for his principles. The EU holds the Russian regime solely responsible for this tragic death."
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock mentioned that "Navalny fell victim to being a symbol of a free and democratic Russia," implying he was deliberately killed, a sentiment echoed by Finance Minister Christian Lindner. Baerbock stated, "Alexei Navalny was a symbol of a free and democratic Russia. This is precisely why he died." Lindner added, "Alexei Navalny fought for a democratic Russia, and for that, Putin tortured him to death."
In this context, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova remarked that "the West's accusations" regarding Navalny's death "reveal what is within them." She noted in a statement that the forensic results regarding Navalny's death have not yet been released, but the West has already reached its own conclusions, without specifying which allegations she was referring to. TASS reported that the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that "America should exercise restraint and await the forensic results regarding the death of opposition leader Navalny."
