Russian ambassador summoned over Navalny death

Cillian Sherlock, PA

The Department of Foreign Affairs has summoned the Russian ambassador to Ireland to “express outrage” at the death of key opposition figure Alexei Navalny.

The department said it summoned Yury Filatov on Tuesday and reiterated that “ultimate responsibility for his death rests with Russian leadership”.

The Russian prison service announced that Mr Navalny, a major opposition leader, died during his detention at an Arctic penal colony on Friday.

The department also called for a full, independent and transparent investigation into his death.

.@dfatirl summoned the Russian Ambassador yesterday to express outrage at the death in prison of opposition politician Alexei Navalny, reiterate that ultimate responsibility for his death rests with Russian leadership, & call for a full, independent & transparent investigation. https://t.co/cNKA76JSq5

— Irish Foreign Ministry (@dfatirl) February 21, 2024

Earlier this week, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said Mr Navalny’s death was a reminder of the “repressive and oppressive” Russian regime.

He said: “President (Vladimir) Putin has ruthlessly put down any opposition and suppressed any dissent, freedom of speech, freedom of the right to gather.”

He added: “It’s quite shocking when you stand back and just reflect on the degree to which the fundamental spirit of the human being is being suppressed in Russia.”