Navalny's Side: "Signature Investigation Delayed... Mother Has Not Seen the Body"

Russian anti-government activist Alexei Navalny died in prison, and criticism is mounting as the investigative authorities delay determining the cause of death.

On the 19th (local time), Kira Yarmysh, Navalny's spokesperson, stated via social media (SNS) that the Russian Investigative Committee investigating Navalny's cause of death told his lawyers and mother, "There is still no conclusion on the cause of death, and the investigation has been extended." She further criticized the Russian authorities for lying and stalling for time.

On the 17th (local time), a photo of Russian dissident activist Alexei Navalny placed near the Russian Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany, was covered with bouquets from mourners. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

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Navalny died on the 16th at the No. 3 prison in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, the northernmost Siberian region of Russia. Regarding this, the Russian correctional authorities announced that Navalny lost consciousness and collapsed after a walk due to poor physical condition. However, Navalny's supporters have raised the possibility of murder and claim that the Russian government is responsible.

Spokesperson Yarmysh appealed that Navalny's mother and lawyers have not even been able to confirm his body yet. She said that Navalny's mother and lawyers went to the morgue in the Siberian town of Salekhard, where his body is reportedly kept, but were denied entry, adding, "One of the lawyers was literally pushed away."

In December last year, protesters gathered outside the Russian ambassador's residence in Berlin, Germany, demanding the release of political prisoners, including Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

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Meanwhile, Navalny, who led the anti-government movement and is regarded as a political rival to Russian President Vladimir Putin, was sentenced to over 30 years in prison on charges including illegal acquisition of funds, extremist activities, and fraud, and has been serving his sentence since 2021. In August 2020, he was also poisoned with a toxic substance and fell into unconsciousness.

Following the news of Navalny's death, tributes have been pouring in worldwide. Some media outlets reported that more than 400 citizens attending memorial events for Navalny in 32 Russian cities, including Moscow and Saint Petersburg, were detained and taken away.

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