Investigation demanded

Harsh criticism: Navalny “brutally murdered”?

Navalny during a court hearing in January

(Bild: AP)

Following the death of unwavering Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny in a Siberian prison camp, there is great international outrage. Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has called for a "full, independent investigation into the circumstances of his death", while Chancellor Karl Nehammer has also called for such an investigation, but avoided apportioning blame. Other reactions were much harsher. The Latvian president declared that Navalny had been "brutally murdered by the Kremlin".

Navalny was an "advocate of a more open and democratic Russia", according to Schallenberg. In a statement, however, he avoided - unlike other international politicians - explicitly blaming the Kremlin. "In Alexei Navalny, Russia has lost a fearless and courageous voice in the fight against corruption and an advocate of a more open and democratic Russia," Schallenberg said.

Van der Bellen: "Murderous regime"
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen used clearer and more critical words. He described Putin's government as a "murderous regime" that was responsible for Navalny's death. For NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Putin has succeeded in "murder by instalment".

Latvian president: "Brutally murdered by the Kremlin"
The reaction of EU Council President Charles Michel was also harsh: He paid tribute to the deceased as a "fighter for the values of freedom and democracy". The opposition leader's death in prison "reminds us of the reality of Vladimir Putin's regime", said French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné. Resistance to Putin's repressive regime had cost Navalny his life.

Navalny during a court hearing in January

(Bild: AP)

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said that Navalny had been "brutally murdered by the Kremlin". For President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, it was "obvious that Navalny was killed by Putin". He said this during a visit to Berlin. "Putin doesn't care who dies. He is only interested in retaining power," said Selenskyj.

Foreign politicians: "Black day", Navalny is a "hero"
German Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger described the death as a "crime". By opposing Russian President Vladimir Putin "and fighting for freedom and human rights, Navalny showed great courage", the FDP politician explained on Friday on the online service X (formerly Twitter). "He had to pay for this with his life. Today is a dark day. My thoughts are with his family."

German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach described Navalny as a "hero". NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed his "deep sorrow and concern" and called for comprehensive clarification. Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared: "He was a victim of Russia's repressive state power. It is terrible that a courageous, fearless voice that stood up for his country was silenced using terrible methods."

Russian journalist: "Putin in a great mood"
Russia expert Gerhard Mangott also does not believe that the death was natural. "A cruel crime by the Russian state", he wrote on X. Russian journalist Farida Rustamova wrote on Telegram that Putin was in a "great mood" after being informed of Navalny's death.

Navalny was internationally recognized as a political prisoner. The USA, the EU and Austria had repeatedly called for the opposition politician's immediate release. However, Russia rejected this as interference in its internal affairs. The Kremlin also stated that it could not concern itself with the fate of prisoners in Russia.