Protests In Russia And Global Demonstrations Follow Navalny’s Death

Protests and vigils have been held near Russian embassies in many countries following the death of Alexei Navalny in a Russian jail.

More than 100 street protesters were detained in Russian cities, reports say, as people were warned not to rally.

The 47-year-old outspoken critic of President Putin had been in a Russian jail since 2021 on politically-motivated charges.

The prison service of the Arctic region where he was serving his sentence announced on Friday that he had died.

US President Joe Biden says Vladimir Putin is “responsible” for Navalny’s death.

In August, Navalny was found guilty of founding and funding an extremist organisation, which he denies, and was given an extra 19 years in jail.

He had already been sentenced to nine years for parole violations, fraud and contempt of court.

The death in prison of Russia’s most prominent opposition figure has made headlines around the world.

But in Russia last night the main 45-minute news bulletin on Russian TV spent just 28 seconds on Alexei Navalny. His death was mentioned almost in passing.

“We know nothing more this morning about what happened inside Special Regime Penal Colony No.3 north of the Arctic Circle”.

The official version of events from Russia’s Prison Service goes like this: Navalny had lost consciousness following a walk and attempts to resuscitate him failed.

In towns and cities across Russia, in memory of the Kremlin’s most vociferous critic, people laid flowers at monuments to the victims of political repression. Police were out in force. More than 100 people are reported to have been detained.

BBC