Canada's foreign affairs minister says the reported death of Alexei Navalny, who crusaded against official corruption in Russia, is a "painful reminder" of Vladimir Putin's "continued oppressive regime." Flowers and a photo are left opposite the Russian Embassy in London, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in reaction to the news that Navalny has died in a Russian prison, according to the Federal Penitentiary Service. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Kin Cheung
OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says reports of Alexei Navalny’s death in a Russian prison are tragic and horrifying, and he offers condolences to the opposition leader’s family and all who champion his pursuit of justice.
Trudeau says in a post on social media that Navalny, who crusaded against corruption in Russia, should never have been imprisoned to begin with.
He adds the reported death is a reminder that the world must continue to promote, protect and defend democracy – and the consequences of not doing so are stark.
Trudeau is among international leaders and others opposed to Putin’s rule who are voicing their admiration and support for Navalny’s work and offering sympathies following the news.
Russia’s prison agency says Nalvalny, who was serving a 19-year sentence in an Arctic penal colony, died today.
The Federal Penitentiary Service says the 47-year-old Navalny felt unwell after a walk and lost consciousness, and could not be revived by paramedics.
Navalny’s associates stressed they didn’t have independent confirmation of his death in the reports that came from Russia’s penitentiary officials. His close ally Ivan Zhdanov said authorities “must notify the relatives” within 24 hours “if true.”
In comments broadcast on CBC Manitoba’s Information Radio show this morning, Trudeau said he is “reeling” over the reports.
“It really shows the extent to which Putin has – will – crack down on anyone who is fighting for freedom for the Russian people,” he said in Winnipeg.
“It is a tragedy and it’s something that has the entire world being reminded of exactly what a monster Putin is.”
Trudeau told host Marcy Markusa there are questions about what happened to Navalny and “our trust for the Russian authorities to be truthful about that will of course be not exactly strong.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said in a post on social media that Navalny’s reported death is a “painful reminder” of Putin’s “continued oppressive regime.”
She said he “gave his freedom in the hopes of a better, more democratic future for the Russian people.”
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Navalny’s work “exposed corruption by Putin’s oligarchs.”
Just hours after his death was reported, Navalny’s wife, Yulia Navalnaya, took the stage at a security conference in Germany that Joly and Defence Minister Bill Blair are both attending this week. Navalnaya said she considered cancelling her appearance. “But then I thought what Alexei would do in my place. And I’m sure he would be here,” she said, noting that she was not even sure if she could believe the news coming from official Russian sources. “But if this is true, I want Putin and everyone around Putin, Putin’s friends, his government to know that they will bear responsibility for what they did to our country, to my family and to my husband. And this day will come very soon.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 16, 2024.
– With files from The Associated Press
