The body of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was a vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin, has been found in a morgue with signs of bruises, days after it was reported missing from the same location. An anonymous paramedic spoke to an independent news outlet, noting that the marks on Navalny’s body appeared consistent with those suffered during physical restraint. Navalny, serving a 19-year sentence in a remote Arctic prison colony, reportedly died during a walk, with prison officials citing “sudden death syndrome” as the cause. However, the circumstances of his death have raised significant suspicions and allegations of foul play.
Navalny’s mother, Lyudmila, and his lawyer were denied access to his body, with prison authorities stating it could not be released until after an investigation. This refusal has fueled accusations from Navalny’s supporters that Russian authorities are attempting to obscure the true cause of his death. Navalny’s wife, Yulia Navalnaya, has expressed skepticism regarding the official account of her husband’s demise, given the source of the information.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from the international community, with U.S. President Joe Biden holding President Putin directly responsible for Navalny’s death. The situation underscores the dangerous environment faced by political dissidents in Russia and has prompted calls for a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Navalny’s death.
Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright