Navalny’s Brother Wanted, Mother Pleads for Release of Body

Russian state media reports that Oleg Navalny, the brother of deceased opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has been added to a wanted list with unspecified new criminal charges. This development comes amidst escalating tensions following Alexei Navalny’s death in a Russian prison last week. Oleg Navalny’s mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, made a public plea to President Putin, demanding the release of her son’s body for burial. She expressed frustration over not being able to see her son’s body even after five days.

According to TASS, the Russian Interior Ministry lists Oleg Navalny as “wanted under an article of the Criminal code,” but the specific charges have not been disclosed. TASS also claimed that Oleg had previously been on the wanted list in January 2022 and that the Ministry was placing him on the list “again.” However, independent Russian media outlet Mediazona disputed these claims, stating that Oleg has been listed as wanted since 2022 without any new charges being specified.

Oleg Navalny has a history of facing criminal charges, with critics suggesting that these charges are a means to pressure Alexei Navalny and his supporters. In 2022, Oleg was put on the wanted list in connection with a rally protesting his brother’s 2021 arrest, where he was charged with violating Covid-19 regulations. Initially receiving a one-year suspended sentence, Russian prison officials later requested that this be replaced with prison time, alleging probation violations. Oleg is believed to be in exile from Russia, and his current whereabouts are unknown. In 2018, he completed a three-year sentence on an embezzlement conviction that critics claim was unjust.

Yulia Navalnaya, Alexei Navalny’s wife, has vowed to continue her husband’s work and has directly accused Putin of being responsible for Navalny’s death, a claim that the Kremlin has denied. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called Navalnaya’s accusations “unfounded and vulgar,” to which Navalnaya responded by saying, “I do not give a damn how the press secretary of a murderer comments on my words.”

The situation surrounding Oleg Navalny is seen by many as part of a broader crackdown on Navalny’s supporters. Over 300 Russians were reportedly arrested at Navalny memorial events across the country this weekend, indicating ongoing pressure on those who continue to support the opposition leader’s legacy.