Russia: Alexei Navalny’s widow added to “terrorists and extremists” register

Russia added Yulia Navalnaya, the exiled adversary and widow of Alexei Navalny, who died in prison in February, to its list of “terrorists and extremists”, two days after an arrest warrant was issued against her.

• Read more: Russia issues arrest warrant for Alexei Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya

AFP noted on Thursday that Yulia Navalnaya’s name appeared on the list held by Rosfinmonitoring, the Russian financial intelligence agency. On Tuesday he was accused by a Russian judge of “participating in an extremist group”.

“Cynical and revolting” conclusion

For its part, France on Thursday condemned Russia’s arrest warrant against exiled adversary Yulia Navalnaya, which Paris said was “one more step in the authoritarian slide of the Russian regime”.

“This decision is cynical and revolting, while the Russian authorities are responsible for the unjustified death of Alexei Navalny in prison on February 16, 2024,” French diplomacy wrote in a statement.

“This shows the determination of the Russian regime to resume Alexei Navalny’s fight against corruption and in favor of freedom of expression,” the Quai d’Orsay added, saluting “Ms. Navalnaya’s courage and determination.”

Russia announced on Tuesday that it had issued an arrest warrant against Alexei Navalny’s widow, accused of “participating in an extremist group”.

The Basmanny court in the Russian capital ordered the foreigner to be placed in pre-trial detention.

Ms Navalnaya has vowed to take up the torch as her husband Vladimir Putin’s first enemy after he died in murky conditions in his Arctic prison in February 2024.