Australia has promised the wife of Russia‘s late opposition leader and critic of Vladimir Putin his death will not be forgotten.
Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Alexei Navalny, met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Wednesday at Parliament House.
Navalny, a prolific anti-corruption campaigner, died in 2024, just months after being sent to a remote prison in Siberia.
The Albanese government on Thursday announced further sanctions on 14 Russian officials it says are responsible for silencing political expression in Russia and enabling the ‘illegal and immoral’ invasion of Ukraine.
Albanese will also on Thursday join an online meeting of world leaders headed by French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss sending troops to Ukraine.
Senator Wong praised Ms Navalnaya’s courage and determination in calling for democracy in Russia following her husband’s death.
‘You’ve had to deal with a lot of loss. Alexei was a champion of democracy and human rights and the Australian government holds (Russian President Vladimir) Putin personally responsible for his death,’ she said during the meeting.
‘We stand with you when we fight for human rights and democracy.’
Ms Navalnaya is on the board of the International Anti-Corruption Foundation, set up to tell ‘the truth about Russian criminal power’ and thanked Australia for its support.
Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Alexei Navalny , met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Wednesday at Parliament House.
Policemen detain Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in 2019Â
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a press conference, at the end of his visit to China for the Tianjin SCO Summit
‘Russia is not Putin. We’ll do everything so that Russia will become a free, normal democratic country,’ she told reporters in Canberra.
The Russian activist also held talks with Opposition Leader Sussan Ley during her visit to Canberra.
‘The human rights situation in Russia continues to deteriorate with violent crackdowns aimed at suppressing human rights and anti-war advocacy,’ Senator Wong said in a statement.
The government has reiterated its call for Russia to comply with its international human rights obligations.
The announcement builds on the government’s current sanctions against Russia, including three packages since 2022 targeting individuals involved in the poisoning, mistreatment and death of Mr Navalny.
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Albo’s bold move that will infuriate Putin – as he meets with widow of Russian opposition leader