New version of Navalny's death dismissed: "A mockery"

Aleksej Navalnyj died from several diseases in combination with a disrupted heart rhythm, claim Russian authorities. Pure lies, responds the Putin critic's widow.

» Published:

New version of Navalny's death dismissed: "A mockery"
Photo: Antonina Favorskaya/AP/TT

Share this article

No crime was behind the death of Russian regime critic Alexei Navalny, claims an investigation committee in the Yamalo-Nenets district, where Navalny died in captivity in February.

Instead, he died of a natural death caused by a combination of various diseases, they claim in a letter according to Politico.

In a

on YouTube, Navalny's widow Julia Navalnaya calls the alleged investigation "pathetic" and "a mockery". Relatives' demands to see autopsy results and video surveillance have been repeatedly denied, she says.

Are we supposed to believe that Alexei, who was healthy enough to go for a walk in 20 degrees below zero, died almost instantly?

In the letter, a number of conditions that Navalny is said to have suffered from are listed, including hepatitis and pancreatitis. In combination with arrhythmia - disturbances in the heart's rhythm - the diseases caused his death, it says.

According to Navalnaya, there is evidence that her husband was locked in his isolation cell after falling ill. The family has been denied the return of his belongings.

There can only be one explanation for this. Only one. He was murdered, and now they are trying to cover their tracks as carefully as possible, she says.

The day before the authorities announced that the 47-year-old opposition politician had died, in the penal colony in the Arctic Ural Mountains where he was serving a long sentence, he appeared healthy and in good spirits in a video-conferenced court hearing.

Alexei Navalny (1976-2024) was a lawyer, blogger, regime critic, and anti-corruption activist.

He made himself known for his sharp criticism of President Vladimir Putin and the power sphere in the Kremlin and was often called "the man Putin fears the most". Navalny published documents that exposed parliamentarians' and politicians' abuse of power, including their secret luxury properties abroad.

Navalny also stood on the barricades during the wave of Putin-critical protests and tried to run in the presidential election in 2018, but was stopped for unclear reasons.

In August 2020, he suddenly fell ill during a flight from Siberia to Moscow. He was treated for a long time in Germany, where it was established that he had been poisoned with the Soviet nerve agent novichok. The Kremlin has denied any involvement.

After recovering, Navalny returned home to Russia on January 17, 2021, where he was arrested, convicted, and later sent to a penal colony in northern Ural Mountains.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

USA and Allies Urge Three-Month Ceasefire in Sudan

USA and Allies Urge Three-Month Ceasefire in Sudan

Intense Bombings in Gaza Leave at Least 50 Dead

Intense Bombings in Gaza Leave at Least 50 Dead

Over 100 Dead in Congo-Kinshasa Boat Accident

Over 100 Dead in Congo-Kinshasa Boat Accident

Charlie Kirk Murder: Key Details and Suspect Arrested

Charlie Kirk Murder: Key Details and Suspect Arrested

Germany, France, UK Urge Israel to Halt Gaza Offensive

Germany, France, UK Urge Israel to Halt Gaza Offensive

USA Reviews Vaccine Recommendations Amid Controversial Child Death Data

USA Reviews Vaccine Recommendations Amid Controversial Child Death Data

European Nations Summon Russian Ambassadors Over Polish Airspace Violation

European Nations Summon Russian Ambassadors Over Polish Airspace Violation

Zelenskyj Offers Citizenship to US Envoy Kellogg During Kyiv Visit

Zelenskyj Offers Citizenship to US Envoy Kellogg During Kyiv Visit

Nato Boosts Eastern Europe Defense After Russian Drone Incursion

Nato Boosts Eastern Europe Defense After Russian Drone Incursion

Erna Solberg to Resign as Høyre Leader After Election Setback

Erna Solberg to Resign as Høyre Leader After Election Setback

Ukrainian Drone Attack on Russian Nuclear Plant Thwarted

Ukrainian Drone Attack on Russian Nuclear Plant Thwarted

Trump Considers Military Deployment to Memphis Amid Crime Concerns

Trump Considers Military Deployment to Memphis Amid Crime Concerns

US Ordered Destruction of Millions in Birth Control Pills, Report Says

US Ordered Destruction of Millions in Birth Control Pills, Report Says

Two Injured in Knife Attack Near Jerusalem Hotel

Two Injured in Knife Attack Near Jerusalem Hotel

US Politicians Heighten Security After Charlie Kirk's Murder

US Politicians Heighten Security After Charlie Kirk's Murder

Kremlin Confirms Pause in Russia-Ukraine Negotiations

Kremlin Confirms Pause in Russia-Ukraine Negotiations

EU Extends Sanctions on Russia for Another Six Months

EU Extends Sanctions on Russia for Another Six Months

161 Suspected IS Members Arrested Across Turkey

161 Suspected IS Members Arrested Across Turkey

Nobel Peace Prize Committee Stands Firm Against External Influence

Nobel Peace Prize Committee Stands Firm Against External Influence

Denmark Makes Historic Air Defense Purchase Amid Rising Tensions

Denmark Makes Historic Air Defense Purchase Amid Rising Tensions