(NewsNation) — A spokesperson for Alexei Navalny confirmed his death Saturday, accusing Russia of hiding his body and refusing to return it to Navalny’s family.
“Alexei Navalny was murdered,” spokesperson Kira Yarmysh said. “[Russia] is conducting ‘investigations’ with him. We demand that Alexei Navalny’s body be handed over to his family immediately.”
An official death notice to Navalny’s mother claimed his body was transported to the Salekhard morgue for an autopsy. However, Yarmysh said that once Alexei’s lawyer and his mother arrived at the morgue, it was closed.
Alexei’s lawyer called the morgue and was informed that Navalny’s body was not there, Yarmysh said.
Another one of Navalny’s lawyers was informed by the Salekhard Investigative Committee that Navalny’s cause of death has not yet been established and that the results of the autopsy would be available next week, Yarmysh said.
“It is obvious that they are lying and doing everything not to give up the body,” Yarmysh said.
The Salekhard Investigative Committee told Navalny’s team that Russia would not return Navalny’s body until his death investigation was completed, Yarmysh said. However, Navalny’s lawyers were informed Saturday that the investigation was concluded and nothing criminal has been established, she said.
“They literally lie every time, driving us around in circles and covering their tracks,” Yarmysh said.
News of Navlany’s death shook the globe Friday, prompting reactions from world leaders and activists.
President Joe Biden blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin directly for Navalny’s death, saying he wasn’t surprised to hear the reports.
“Russian authorities are going to tell their own story. Make no mistake, make no mistake. Putin is responsible for Navalny’s death. Putin is responsible. What has happened to Navalny is yet more proof of Putin’s brutality,” Biden said during a press conference Friday.
It was originally reported by Russian authorities that Navalny died in prison Friday after feeling unwell following a walk. Russia said it has no information on Navalny’s death, other than the 47-year-old collapsed and was unable to be resuscitated.
Biden previously warned Russia back in 2021 of “devastating” consequences for the country if Navalny died in prison. During the press conference, Biden told reporters that conversations were being had on how to respond.