Geneva, United Nations experts have urgently called on the Russian Federation to conduct a swift and independent investigation into the reported death of Alexei Navalny, a leading opposition figure, while in custody serving a 19-year sentence on charges deemed politically motivated. Following the announcement of his death, the experts demanded the immediate release of all political prisoners in Russia, emphasizing the critical state of human rights in the country.

According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the experts have requested an independent autopsy to determine the circumstances of Navalny’s death, stressing the importance of accountability and transparency separate from state involvement. They highlighted the broader issue of arbitrary detentions within Russia, naming other activists like Vladimir Kara-Murza, Ilya Yashin, and Alexei Gorinov, who are also in grave danger due to their imprisonment for opposing Russia’s actions in Ukraine and for their peaceful exercise of human rights.

The experts condemned the Russian authorities for their relentless persecution of Navalny, who had been vocally critical of the government’s erosion of democracy, rule of law, and human rights. They noted that Navalny’s treatment in detention, including the denial of adequate medical care, amounted to torture and ill-treatment. The sudden news of Navalny’s death and the subsequent silence and denial of access to him by his lawyers and family have been criticized as part of a deliberate effort to silence dissent.

This call for action comes amid ongoing concerns about the suppression of civil society and the opposition in Russia, with the UN experts and international human rights bodies previously raising alarms about the treatment of Navalny and other political prisoners. The experts urged that the allegations surrounding Navalny’s death be thoroughly investigated, with those responsible held accountable, as his demise marks a significant low point in Russia’s human rights record.