“Putin is a murderer”
“Putin is a murderer”… Navalny memorial rallies continue to take place across Europe and the United States
As news broke of Russian anti-government activist Alexei Navalny’s sudden death in a Siberian prison, memorial rallies were held across Europe, led by Russian immigrants.
Attendees strongly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him a “murderer” and shouting, “Russia commits murder.”
According to Reuters and AFP on the 16th local time, in Berlin, Germany, police estimated 500 to 600 people placed photos and flowers of Navalny in front of the Russian Embassy and lit candles to commemorate him.
The crowd chanted “Putin to The Hague” and “Catch the murderer,” seemingly aware of the fact that the International Criminal Court is located in The Hague, Netherlands.
Most of the attendees spoke Russian, and some held or wore the ‘white, blue and white flag’ that Russians use in anti-war protests.
About 100 people also held a rally in front of the Russian embassy in London, holding placards that read “Putin is a war criminal.”
About 100 people gathered in front of the Russian Embassy in Warsaw, Poland, and about 300 and 100 people gathered in front of the Zurich train station in Switzerland and the United Nations building in Geneva, respectively, to commemorate Navalny.
In addition, rallies criticizing President Putin were held across Europe, including in Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Barcelona, The Hague, and Lisbon.
On the other side of the Atlantic, shocked Russians gathered in the United States.
Anti-government activists living in exile abroad also criticized President Putin.
Dmitry Gudkov, a former member of parliament and anti-government activist, said on social media: “It is a real nightmare. Alexei’s death is a murder and orchestrated by Putin. Even if Alexei died of ‘natural’ causes, it is poisoning in prison and further torture.” “Because,” he claimed.
“Navalny is dead and has become immortal,” famous Russian writer Boris Akunin told AFP. “He will eventually bury President Putin. A murdered Navalny will be a greater threat to the dictator than a living Navalny.” “He said.
Navalny, the Russian opposition leader who was considered President Putin’s biggest political opponent, died on the 16th in Prison No. 3 of the Yamanenenets Autonomous Region in Russia’s northernmost Siberia region while serving more than 30 years in prison.
There was also a stir within Russia after the announcement that he had suddenly died in a prison under harsh conditions.
US President Joe Biden criticized Putin for Navalny’s death.
