Rédaction Africa Links 24 with BBC
Published on 2024-02-20 15:51:23
The death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in a prison in Russia has sparked international outrage and calls for accountability from President Vladimir Putin’s government. Navalny’s mother and wife have called on Putin to release his body and allow his loved ones to say goodbye.
In a video recorded outside the Siberian prison where Navalny died, his mother expressed her frustration at not being able to see her son’s body for five days and not even knowing where it was. She made a direct appeal to President Putin, demanding that Navalny’s body be released immediately for a decent burial.
Navalny’s wife, Yulia, also urged the authorities not to prevent his loved ones from saying their final goodbyes. She has accused Putin of being responsible for her husband’s death and has called on the Russian government to return Navalny’s body and allow him to be buried with dignity.
Efforts to locate Navalny’s body have been repeatedly blocked by prison authorities and local officials. His family has been told that his body will not be released for two weeks for “chemical analysis”. This has raised suspicions that the Russian government is trying to cover up evidence of poisoning, as Navalny had survived a poisoning attempt with the nerve agent Novichok in 2020.
Despite Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissing these allegations as “unfounded and vulgar”, Western leaders have put the blame for Navalny’s death squarely on President Putin. The European Union and the United States have said that they are considering new sanctions on Russia, while the UK Foreign Secretary has stated that he expects Britain and other G7 nations to impose fresh sanctions on any Russians involved in the death.
Navalny’s death has triggered widespread condemnation and calls for an independent investigation into the circumstances leading to his demise. His family and supporters have vowed to continue his work to fight for a “free Russia” and have called for international support in holding the Russian government accountable.
The international community’s response to Navalny’s death reflects the deep concern over the state of democracy and human rights in Russia. The ongoing standoff between Putin’s government and political opposition figures has heightened tensions and raised fears of further repression.
As Navalny’s family and supporters continue to push for justice and accountability, the world waits to see whether Putin’s government will heed the calls for transparency and respect for human rights. The global outcry over Navalny’s death underscores the importance of upholding democratic values and the rule of law, and the need for international solidarity in the face of authoritarianism.
Read the original article on The Namibian
