Yulia Navalnaya Accuses Russian Authorities of Poisoning Alexei Navalny in Prison

Tue Oct 21 2025 00:45:32 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a poignant video statement, Yulia Navalnaya claims her late husband, opposition leader Alexei Navalny, was poisoned while in custody, based on findings from international laboratories.

The widow of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, Yulia Navalnaya, has publicly accused the Russian government of murdering her husband by poisoning him in prison. In a video, she reveals that two independent laboratories confirmed he was poisoned, challenging their findings' release due to alleged political pressures. Navalny, known for his anti-corruption activism, died suddenly in prison in February 2024 under suspicious circumstances, prompting further calls for justice by his supporters.

Yulia Navalnaya Accuses Russian Authorities of Poisoning Alexei Navalny in Prison

16 hours ago

In a striking video released on social media, Yulia Navalnaya, widow of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, claims that her husband was poisoned while serving time in prison. This allegation follows analyses of smuggled biological samples by two overseas laboratories, which she asserts confirm her husband was murdered.

Navalny, who died on February 16, 2024, had been a significant figure in Russian politics and an outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin. He reportedly passed away due to unexplained circumstances while imprisoned in a harsh Arctic penal colony.

Yulia Navalnaya called for transparency from the laboratories regarding their findings but did not specify the type of poison or the nature of the analysis conducted. She expressed frustration at the reluctance of these entities to publicize their results, hinting at political motivations behind their silence.

This stark claim comes in the wake of a notorious history of poisoning against political figures in Russia, including an earlier incident in 2020 when Navalny was attacked with a nerve agent, Novichok, leading to his treatment abroad before he was arrested upon returning to Russia.

The death of Navalny has ignited widespread outrage and accusations against the Kremlin, with his supporters alleging state involvement in his demise. Navalnaya has been vocal in asserting that her husband's death directly implicates the Russian government.

In her statement, she described her husband as a beacon of hope for many Russians, insisting that she would not remain silent regarding the circumstances of his death. I affirm that Vladimir Putin is guilty of killing my husband, Alexei Navalny, she declared passionately.

The Kremlin has yet to respond formally to these allegations, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicating that he was unaware of Yulia's statements. Meanwhile, the case continues to evoke strong reactions from both supporters of Navalny and various human rights organizations.

As news of Navalny's passing spread, thousands gathered for his funeral in Moscow, despite government warnings against such gatherings. His legacy endures as Russia grapples with an increasing crackdown on dissent and civil society.

Further developments are expected as Navalnaya vows to pursue transparency and accountability for her husband's untimely death.