Following the death of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) President Theodoros Rousopoulos made the following statement:
“I am deeply shocked by today’s terrible news of the death in prison of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
I send my deepest condolences to his wife, family, colleagues – and all those who shared his vision of a more democratic and accountable Russia.
There is little doubt that the Russian state – which attempted to poison him, illegally imprisoned him, and systematically subjected him to appalling and inhumane treatment – bears full responsibility for his death. This adds to all those crimes already committed by the Russian regime.
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Navalny’s death is a huge loss to the Russian people. As a courageous and determined advocate of their rights, he showed how the power of truth can challenge even the most powerful and oppressive dictatorships.
He was a ray of hope for those who fight for freedom in Russia.”
