Brussels, February 16, 2025 – One year after the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in a strict penal colony, the European Union has reiterated its condemnation of Russian authorities, holding President Vladimir Putin directly responsible for what it calls a politically motivated assassination.

In a strongly worded statement, the EU’s High Representative underscored that Navalny paid the ultimate price for his fight against authoritarianism in Russia.

“Today marks one year since the death of Russian opposition leader politician Alexei Navalny, for which President Putin and the Russian authorities bear ultimate responsibility,” the statement reads.

Navalny, a staunch critic of Putin and an anti-corruption campaigner, was imprisoned in 2021 upon his return to Russia from Germany, where he had been treated for poisoning with the Novichok nerve agent—an attack widely attributed to Russian security services. His imprisonment was condemned internationally as politically motivated, and his subsequent transfer to one of Russia’s harshest penal colonies raised concerns over his safety.

Ongoing Crackdown on Opposition

The EU statement also highlighted Russia’s deepening repression of dissent, particularly as Moscow continues its full-scale war against Ukraine. It noted that Navalny’s lawyers, along with hundreds of political prisoners, remain behind bars on fabricated charges.

“Alexei Navalny gave his life for a free and democratic Russia. Today, his lawyers remain unjustly imprisoned, together with hundreds of political prisoners. Russia must immediately and unconditionally release Alexei Navalny’s lawyers and all political prisoners,” the EU declared.

Over the past five years, the EU has implemented targeted sanctions against those responsible for Navalny’s poisoning, arrest, and politically driven sentencing. In 2024, Brussels expanded its measures by introducing a human rights-specific sanctions regime aimed at individuals involved in repression and abuses.

Demand for Justice and an End to Repression

The EU has called on Russia to cease its relentless crackdown on civil society, independent media, and opposition figures, urging the Kremlin to adhere to international law and respect fundamental human rights.

With Navalny’s death marking a dark chapter in modern Russian politics, his legacy continues to inspire pro-democracy movements within Russia and beyond, as Western nations maintain pressure on Moscow for accountability.