The Russian Prison Administration said Friday, February 16, that the imprisoned Russian opposition leader, Alexey Navalny, who had been in detention since 2021, had died.
Latvian President Edgrs Rinkēvičs did not mince his words on the matter, writing that Navalny had in fact been "brutally murdered by the Kremlin".
Whatever your thoughts about Alexey @Navalny as the politician, he was just brutally murdered by the Kremlin. That’s a fact and that is something one should know about the true nature of Russia’s current regime. My condolences to the family and friends.
— Edgars Rinkēvičs (@edgarsrinkevics) February 16, 2024
Prime Minister Evika Siliņa reacted from the sidelines of the Munich Security Confrence, saying Navalny had been "tortured to death".
Sincere condolences to the family of @navalny, and to all who cherish freedom. Putin’s regime imprisoned and has now tortured to death one of the last symbols of democracy in Russia. I call on Russia to cease repressing political opposition and release all political prisoners.
— Evika Siliņa 🇱🇻🇺🇦 (@EvikaSilina) February 16, 2024
Foreign Minister Krišjānis Kariņš said he was "deeply distraught" by news of Navalny's untimely death, also pinning the blame firmly on "Putin's criminal regime".
Deeply distraught to learn about the death of imprisoned #Russian opposition politician Alexey @navalny. His death is fully on the conscience of Putin’s criminal regime.
— Krišjānis Kariņš (@krisjaniskarins) February 16, 2024
My condolences to his family and loved ones.
