'Obvious' Vladimir Putin is behind Alexei Navalny's death, Zelensky says

Alexei Navalny Dies: The Ukrainian leader said that the Russian president does not care who dies so long as his position is secure.

Updated on: Feb 16, 2024, 18:32:09 IST

By HT News Desk

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Alexei Navalny Dies: Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said that it is "obvious" that Vladimir Putin was directly behind the death of Alexei Navalny. Speaking in Germany, the Ukrainian leader said that the Russian president does not care who dies so long as his position is secure.

Alexei Navalny Dies: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. (AP)

"Obviously he was killed by Putin. Like thousands of others who have been tortured," Zelensky said. This demonstrates why Vladimir Putin must be made to “lose everything and held accountable for his actions”, he added.

Poland's top diplomat echoed Ukrainian president's view as he said that Vladimir Putin was "responsible" for the death of Alexei Navalny.

"He was convicted in a trial on false charges, with false evidence. He was put in prison, where he lived in terrible conditions. Vladimir Putin is responsible for all this," Radoslaw Sikorski said in a statement.

Exiled Russian opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov also blamed the Russian leader for the "murder" saying, "Alexei's death is a murder. Organised by Putin. Even if Alexei died of "natural" causes, they were caused by his poisoning and further torture in prison."

Read more: US still seeking confirmation of Alexei Navalny's death, White House says

Germany's foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said lexei Navalny had died because he was a symbol for a free and democratic Russia

"Like no one else, Alexei Navalny was a symbol for a free and democratic Russia," Annalena Baerbock wrote on X (formerly Twitter), adding, "That is precisely the reason he had to die. Alexey Navalny fought for a democratic Russia," wrote Finance Minister Christian Lindner on the same platform. “For that, Putin tortured him to death.”

Meanwhile, UK PM Rishi Sunak said, “This is terrible news. As the fiercest advocate for Russian democracy, Alexei Navalny demonstrated incredible courage throughout his life.”

“My thoughts are with his wife and the people of Russia, for whom this is a huge tragedy,” he added.

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HT News Desk
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