Berlin, Germany – The late Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, allegedly was poisoned with the Novichok nerve agent, according to his widow. Yulia Navalnaya accused the Kremlin of waiting for traces of the lethal chemical to disappear from her husband’s body and vowed to reveal the names of his killers.
The delay in handing over Navalny’s body to his mother and lawyers has raised suspicions of a cover-up of a potential poisoning. The bruised body of the Putin critic is currently at a morgue in a Russian hospital, while efforts to access the facility have been hindered.
Furthermore, nearly 400 people have been detained by police in Russia as they gathered at memorials and monuments to pay tribute to Navalny with flowers and candles. In addition, diplomats from various countries, including the US, Britain, and the EU, are calling for independent investigations and potential sanctions against Russia if evidence of foul play is found.
Navalny’s death has prompted an international outcry and renewed calls for support for political critics and opposition figures in Russia. The circumstances surrounding his death have reignited concerns about the safety and security of those who challenge the current Kremlin regime.