Responding to the news of the death of Alexei Navalny in prison, ALDE Party Co-Presidents Ilhan Kyuchyuk and Timmy Dooley issued the following statement:

“We strongly condemn the sad news of the death of Alexei Navalny, who has been detained and subjected to harsh treatment in prison since January 2021 and faced more than 30 years of a politically-motivated sentence.

"The power of his message over the decades was simple, yet so powerful, that even from behind bars, he posed a significant threat to Putin's oppressive regime. He was prepared to die for what he believed was right for his country. His politically motivated imprisonment served as a stark reminder of the lengths to which authoritarian regimes will go to silence dissent and suppress democratic voices. 

"We praise the courage of his conviction and his unwavering commitment to justice and freedom which made him a symbol of hope for countless individuals, both in Russia and around the world.

"Alexei Navalny was not just a prisoner; he was a fearless fighter for a free, just, and democratic Russia. His courage and determination in the face of adversity inspired millions to stand up against corruption. His legacy will continue to fuel the struggle for justice and liberty in Russia and beyond.

"We demand that the Russian Federation stops persecution and repression against all the dissenting, abolish all laws that unreasonably limit the freedom of speech and press, including those that penalise opposing the Russian war against Ukraine, release all political prisoners and abolish all the criminal and administrative cases against the dissenting, and stop intimidation and torture in the detention facilities and prisons.

"His death is a profound loss and we express our condolences with his family, friends, colleagues and followers at this difficult time. We stand in solidarity with all those who continue to fight for a free, democratic, and just Russia."