US VP says Putin responsible for Navalny's death

US Vice President Kamala Harris said on Friday that the death of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny in a penal colony, if confirmed, would be further proof of the brutality of Russian President Vladimir Putin, news agencies reported.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny inside a glass cage prior to a hearing in a Moscow court on Feb. 16, 2021.

Photo: EPA/BABUSHKINSKY DISTRICT COURT PRESS

Reports of Navalny's death shook the annual Munich Security Conference where leaders gathered to bolster unity against Russia's two-year-old invasion of Ukraine, the Reuters news agency reported.

Happening Now: Tune in to the Munich Security Conference as I speak about the importance of America’s continued global leadership and our sacred commitment to our NATO allies. https://t.co/uN7m0I7dff

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) February 16, 2024

"Let us be clear, Russia is responsible," Harris said, adding that it would be "a further sign of Putin's brutality" if the death is confirmed.

Alexei Navalny, Russia's most famous opposition leader, died on Friday after collapsing and losing consciousness at the penal colony north of the Arctic Circle where he was serving a long jail term, the Russian prison service said https://t.co/NWuwIUpGys pic.twitter.com/9pwxd9EBmR

— Reuters (@Reuters) February 16, 2024

US Secretary of State Antony told the conference that if reports of Navalny's death are true, they testify to Russia's "weakness and rot."

Russian authorities said Navalny died after a fall at an Arctic penal colony on Friday.

US President Joe Biden had warned Putin after a meeting with the Russian leader in Geneva in June 2021 that Russia would risk "devastating" consequences if Navalny died in prison, Reuters reported.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, starting the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.

Friday is day 723 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

(gs)

Source: Reuters, PAP, IAR