Russia – Death of Alexei Navalny (16 February 2025)

A year after the death of Russian political opponent Alexei Navalny, on 16 February 2024 in a penitentiary colony in the Arctic circle, France once again pays tribute to his bravery and his fight for a free and democratic Russia.

France holds the Russian authorities fully responsible for the death of Alexei Navalny, whose conditions of imprisonment had greatly deteriorated since his transfer to a penitentiary colony. It continues to call for an independent, in-depth investigation to be carried out to reveal the conditions of his tragic death.

France sends a message of support and solidarity to all those who bravely defend personal freedoms and the rule of law in Russia. The recent conviction and prison sentences of three of Alexei Navalny’s former lawyers for their work defending the rights of their client is a brutal reminder of the efforts of the Russian authorities to quell any dissident voice.

France condemns in the strongest terms all violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and calls on the Russian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners.