Navalny's Spokesperson: Russian Officials Gave Alexei's Mother an 'Ultimatum' for His Burial

On Friday, March 4, Alexei Navalny's spokesperson stated that Russian officials told his mother that they would bury him in the Khark prison area where Navalny had been exiled unless she agreed within three hours to bury Alexei without any ceremony. Navalny, the most prominent political opponent of Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, suspiciously died on February 16 in Khark prison, located in the Yamalo-Nenets region, about 1900 kilometers northeast of Moscow, where he was serving a sentence of over 30 years. Leonid Volkov, Navalny's assistant, posted on social media that 'Russian officials have published confessions admitting that they killed Alexei Navalny in prison.' Lyudmila, Alexei's 69-year-old mother, has been asking officials for days to bury him in a way that allows friends, family, and supporters to pay their respects. Kira Yarmysh, Navalny's spokesperson, wrote on social media that 'an investigator contacted Alexei's mother an hour ago and gave her an ultimatum that either she agrees within three hours to a secret funeral without a public ceremony, or Alexei will be buried in the Khark prison area.' A Russian human rights organization announced on Sunday, February 18, that over 400 people were arrested in various cities across Russia for participating in different memorial ceremonies honoring Alexei Navalny. Yarmysh stated that Navalny's mother refuses to accept his body and will continue her demands. According to Reuters, there was no immediate comment from officials. Joe Biden, the President of the United States, announced on Friday, March 4, that the U.S. would impose over 500 new sanctions against Russia on the occasion of the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine, the repression of dissent within Russia, and the death of Alexei Navalny. The U.S. President also stated that these sanctions target individuals linked to Navalny's imprisonment as well as the financial sector, Russia's defense industrial complex, supply chains, and all those who assist Putin's war machine by evading sanctions against Russia across various continents. In response to Navalny's death, the U.S. President said, 'Do not be mistaken, Putin is responsible for Navalny's death.' The similarity between Navalny's death in prison and the killing of Iranian protesters was discussed with Monireh Baradaran. Alexei Navalny's wife stated: 'Putin killed him,' and tributes to Navalny were held in various cities across Russia. A report from Voice of America on the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council meeting highlighted that Navalny's suspicious death is in the spotlight. Joe Biden announced the imposition of 500 new sanctions against Russia. The European Union called for 'transparent international investigations' into Navalny's death. The White House responded to Navalny's death: 'Major sanctions' are awaiting Russia. The European Union called for new sanctions against Russia due to Navalny's death.