Written by Olivia Christie and Poppy Atkinson Gibson
20:31 February 16, 2024, updated 21:48 February 16, 2024
- Protesters gather in front of the Russian Embassy in Kensington Palace Gardens
Hundreds of people marched to the Russian embassy in London following the death of President Vladimir Putin’s opponent Alexei Navalny.
Tonight, demonstrators chanting slogans critical of President Vladimir Putin gathered outside the embassy in Kensington Palace Gardens, next to Hyde Park.
People could be heard saying things like “Putin is a murderer,” “The war must stop,” and “Love is stronger than war.”
At one point, protesters turned on their phones in unison to pay their respects to the 47-year-old.
Russian media today announced Navalny’s death, citing the Siberian prison where he is serving his sentence, but did not provide the cause of death or provide further information.
The news caused shock and outrage around the world, with world leaders and commentators immediately condemning the Kremlin.
Latvia’s president declared that Navalny was “brutally murdered by the Kremlin,” while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said it was “clear” that Putin ordered the dissident’s killing.
“We are here to support his family and show them they are not alone,” Victor, who moved to London after the outbreak of war in Ukraine, said at the protest.
“Russia is against war, no matter what propaganda it is.”
Andrew, who lives in London, also spoke to MayOnline, adding: There’s not much I can do, but we’re showing that we care.
“We want to show that with his death, his ideas do not disappear and that we remember them.”
“We still have loved ones in Russia. It hurts to see what is happening to our country and we cannot remain silent,” Maria said.
“He was a symbol of what we’re all fighting for. One of our core hopes has been ruined.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg. People are put in jail for no reason.
The London protests followed similar demonstrations in cities across Europe.
In Berlin, 500 to 600 people gathered in front of the Russian embassy, chanting “Putin is a murderer” in a mix of Russian, German, and English.
Groups also came from Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and other countries.
The wife of Vladimir Putin’s opponent Alexei Navalny has declared that Vladimir Putin will “answer” her husband’s death in custody, vowing that the Russian president’s “evil regime” will soon fall.
In a defiant and emotional speech at the Munich Security Conference today, Yulia Navalnaya fought back tears and declared: “[Navalny]would have been here, in this hall.”
“I don’t know if you believe the terrible news we received, but only from Russian government sources. always lies.
“But if that’s true, I want to thank President Putin and all of his crew and all of his friends for what they did to our country, my family, and my husband. I want you to know the answer.” That day is almost upon us.
“And I call on the international community, the people in this room, and the people of the world to fight and defeat this evil, this terrible regime in Russia, led by Vladimir Putin. He must take personal responsibility for all of his horrific acts.”
As Putin’s fiercest enemy, Navalny has campaigned against official corruption and staged massive anti-Kremlin protests, inviting brutal Kremlin retaliation.
He once survived an assassination attempt with the nerve agent Novichok, but returned to his homeland upon recovery, knowing he would be arrested.
Since then, he has been serving a 19-year prison sentence on extremism charges, and in December he flew from a prison in central Russia to a “special regime” known as “Polar Wolf” above the Arctic Circle. was transferred to a penal colony.
The 47-year-old was last seen during a court hearing on Thursday.
He looked in good spirits in his black prison uniform and his trademark humor was on display once again.
“Sir, I will send you my personal account number so you can use my huge salary as a federal judge to ‘warm up’ my personal account. Because I ran out of money. ” he said.
Mr Navalny’s mother Lyudmila said she met her son in prison on Monday. “He was alive, healthy and cheerful,” she said at the time.
However, the Federal Prison Service said in a statement today that Navalny felt unwell after the walk and lost consciousness. An ambulance arrived and tried to save him, but to no avail.
“There is no doubt that Alexei Navalny’s death was unnatural,” said Bellingcat journalist Christo Grozev, an ally of Navalny who has closely followed his trial.
“Even Russian propaganda channels associated with special services called this a political assassination. Who are we to doubt their own words?”