Alexei Navalny's mother demands Putin return son's body
Alexei Navalny's mother has demanded President Vladimir Putin release her son's remains, after the prominent critic died in a Russian prison.
For five days she has been denied knowledge of his location. Navalny's wife, Yulia, has called for the authorities to allow a proper farewell.
Despite the family's requests, officials informed them that his body would be withheld for two weeks for a "chemical analysis". There has been no official confirmation of the body's location as efforts to locate it continue to be impeded.
Yulia Navalnaya suspects that the delay is to let any traces of the Novichok nerve agent dissipate. Navalny had previously survived an assassination attempt with this poison in 2020.
In response to these allegations, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed them but refrained from further comments due to Navalnaya's recent bereavement.
Navalny's mother publicly appealed to Putin at the penal colony, known as Polar Wolf, to allow her to see her son and release his body. Similarly, Navalnaya has accused Putin of her husband's murder and insists on a dignified burial, articulating this demand on social media and calling Peskov's remarks irrelevant.
Navalnaya has also addressed the European Union and the Munich Security Conference, committing to continue her husband's cause and urging leaders not to recognize the upcoming Russian presidential elections or ease sanctions on Putin's allies.
Navalny's death was publicly disclosed with the prison officials stating he had collapsed and never regained consciousness, labeling the incident "sudden death syndrome". His mother and attorney went to the penal colony immediately after the news broke, but their search for the body has been repeatedly blocked.
The Kremlin reported that an investigation into Navalny's death is in process but yielded no results yet. His spokeswoman relayed that the authorities would not release the body before the completion of a "chemical analysis".
Navalny, who was serving a controversial 19-year sentence, had been the face of the Russian opposition for a decade. His death has drawn international condemnation, with Western nations blaming Putin and considering new sanctions on Russia.
The UK's Foreign Secretary has indicated that the G7 may also impose sanctions on those involved in Navalny's death.
Despite the family's requests, officials informed them that his body would be withheld for two weeks for a "chemical analysis". There has been no official confirmation of the body's location as efforts to locate it continue to be impeded.
Yulia Navalnaya suspects that the delay is to let any traces of the Novichok nerve agent dissipate. Navalny had previously survived an assassination attempt with this poison in 2020.
In response to these allegations, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed them but refrained from further comments due to Navalnaya's recent bereavement.
Navalny's mother publicly appealed to Putin at the penal colony, known as Polar Wolf, to allow her to see her son and release his body. Similarly, Navalnaya has accused Putin of her husband's murder and insists on a dignified burial, articulating this demand on social media and calling Peskov's remarks irrelevant.
Navalnaya has also addressed the European Union and the Munich Security Conference, committing to continue her husband's cause and urging leaders not to recognize the upcoming Russian presidential elections or ease sanctions on Putin's allies.
Navalny's death was publicly disclosed with the prison officials stating he had collapsed and never regained consciousness, labeling the incident "sudden death syndrome". His mother and attorney went to the penal colony immediately after the news broke, but their search for the body has been repeatedly blocked.
The Kremlin reported that an investigation into Navalny's death is in process but yielded no results yet. His spokeswoman relayed that the authorities would not release the body before the completion of a "chemical analysis".
Navalny, who was serving a controversial 19-year sentence, had been the face of the Russian opposition for a decade. His death has drawn international condemnation, with Western nations blaming Putin and considering new sanctions on Russia.
The UK's Foreign Secretary has indicated that the G7 may also impose sanctions on those involved in Navalny's death.