Aleksei Navalny dies: The death of an outspoken figure deprives Russia of the leading voice of the opposition
Reports of Aleksei A. Navalny's death came as his wife, Yulia Navalnaya, was at a prominent security conference in Munich, where she met with European and American leaders in an effort to draw attention to her husband's case and Russia's approach to differing opinions.
Mrs. Navalnaya and Leonid Volkov, her husband's chief of staff, attended the Munich Security Conference, where Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and leaders from across Europe met to discuss the war in Ukraine and other threats . – many of which come from Moscow and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.
Ms Navalnaya could not immediately be reached for comment.
The news of Mr Navalny's death shocked many at the conference and could add new urgency to the discussion.
Ms Harris said at the start of her address to the conference – which was already expected to focus on Russia – that the United States was still trying to confirm reports of Mr Navalny's death, but that she would not inform the Russian government held responsible. “If confirmed, it would be a further sign of Putin's brutality,” she said. “Whatever story they tell, let's be clear that Russia is responsible and we will have more to say about this later.”
Mr Blinken told reporters before a meeting with Indian officials: “If these reports are true, our thoughts go out to his wife and his family. In addition, his death in a Russian prison and one man's fixation and fear only underscore the weakness and rot at the core of the system Putin built.”
President Biden had warned Mr Putin not to harm Mr Navalny while he was in prison. “I made it clear to him that I believe the consequences of that would be devastating for Russia,” Mr. Biden told reporters after meeting with Mr. Putin in Geneva in 2021.
“What do you think happens when he says it's not about hurting Navalny, all those things he says to rationalize Navalny's treatment, and then he dies in prison?” Mr. Biden continued. “It's about trust. It's about their ability to influence other countries in a positive way.”
Mrs. Navalnaya has been a respected surrogate for her husband in settings such as Munich.
“I saw Yulia Navalnaya and Leonid Volkov here in Munich last night,” said Michael McFaul, a former US ambassador to Moscow. “They had come to this conference to meet world leaders and remind them of Aleksei and the horrific conditions he endured in a special prison cell intended only for torture.”
Edward Wong reporting contributed.