Navalny's Body Should Be Handed over to Family Immediately, Spokesperson Says
The body of Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny should be handed over to his family without delay, according to his spokesperson Kira Yarmysh. Navalny, a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin, died on Friday after falling unconscious during a prison walk. The cause of his death is unclear, and some Western leaders have blamed Putin. Yarmysh demanded that Navalny's body be released to his family immediately, accusing Russian officials of lying to delay the process. The exact location of Navalny's body remains unknown.
Demand for Immediate Handover of Navalny's Body
Kira Yarmysh, spokesperson for Alexey Navalny, called for the immediate release of his body to his family. The Russian opposition figure died after feeling unwell during a prison walk, and the cause of his death is still unclear. Yarmysh accused Russian officials of lying in order to delay the release of Navalny's body. Some Western leaders have already blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for Navalny's death.
Yarmysh revealed that Navalny's mother had been notified of his death, confirming the tragic news. She stated that Navalny was murdered and demanded that his body be handed over to his family without further delay. However, the exact location of Navalny's body remains unknown.
Confusion Surrounding Navalny's Body
Navalny's mother and lawyer traveled to the penal colony where he was held to receive official confirmation of his death. However, they were told that his body had been taken to another town for investigation by the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation. Navalny's team later discovered that his body was not present when they arrived at the morgue in the new town. Yarmysh stated that the body won't be released to relatives until the investigation is complete, which she believes is a tactic to avoid handing it over.
Adding to the confusion, an employee at the morgue in the town where Navalny's body was supposed to be said that it had not arrived. This raises further questions about the whereabouts of Navalny's body and contributes to the frustration and grief experienced by his family.
Navalny's Legacy and International Response
Alexey Navalny posed a significant threat to Russian President Vladimir Putin due to his activism and exposure of alleged corruption. After his return to Russia from Germany, where he had been treated for poisoning, Navalny was arrested and imprisoned. Concerns for his welfare grew as he was transferred to a penal colony in the Arctic Circle and spent his last weeks enduring harsh conditions. The news of Navalny's death led to swift condemnation from Western leaders, with US President Joe Biden holding Putin responsible and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg demanding answers from Russia.
At the Munich Security Conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Putin's legitimacy into question following Navalny's murder. Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, demanded justice for her husband and received a standing ovation for her emotional remarks. The international community mourns the loss of Navalny and expresses solidarity with his family and supporters.
