Western sanctions ineffective
Navalnaya: “Putin is the head of a criminal gang”
February 28, 2024, 12:53 p.m
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Yulia Navalnaya warns the members of the European Parliament with clear words. Russia’s president heads a criminal gang, she says. Western sanctions would achieve nothing. Rather, creativity is required to convict Putin and his aides.
The widow of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who died in custody, has branded Russian President Vladimir Putin the “head of a criminal gang.” In a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Yulia Navalnaya called on Western countries to take action against Putin’s aides. There is no need for concerned explanations, “but a search for the mafia allies in your countries, the discreet lawyers and donors,” said Navalnaya, who blames Putin for the death of her husband in a Russian prison camp.
“Methods of combating organized crime” should be used, Navalnaya explained, referring to Putin and his structures. “Not diplomatic notes, but investigations into financial machinations,” she added. Putin should not be hit with further sanctions, but only with new methods. “If you want to defeat Putin, you have to be inventive,” Navalnaya said.
Referring to her husband, who died in Russian custody at the age of 47, Navalnaya said he was tortured for three days at the behest of Putin before his death. Navalny died unexpectedly on February 16 in the “Polar Wolf” prison camp in Siberia. Russian authorities gave a natural cause of death. They rejected allegations of state involvement.
Navalny team announces funeral date
Navalnaya was also concerned that there could be arrests among the mourners at the funeral ceremonies for Navalny planned for Friday in Moscow. “I’m not sure if it will be peaceful or if the police will arrest those who want to say goodbye to my husband,” she said.
Navalny was the best-known opposition figure in Russia and one of Putin’s harshest critics. He particularly denounced corruption and greed and described the state leadership as “crooks and thieves.” His posts online have been viewed millions of times. He was sentenced to more than 30 years in prison.