Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Friday expressed her condolences following the passing of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, labeling the death as a “tragedy for all democracy and human rights defenders,” while extending sympathies to his family and those in Russia who continue to uphold the fight for democracy.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, also voiced deep distress over Navalny’s demise, characterizing it as a “grim reminder” of the lengths to which Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime would go to suppress dissent and maintain power.
“Let’s unite in our fight to safeguard the freedom and safety of those who dare to stand up against autocracy”, she said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserted that Navalny’s untimely passing raised suspicions of targeted persecution by Putin’s government. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for accountability, urging the international community to hold the Russian President responsible for what he described as “atrocities’ ‘ committed under his rule.
Navalny died while in custody at a penal colony on the Yamal Peninsula, as confirmed by the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia earlier on Friday.