The EU is gearing up to introduce new sanctions against Russia as a reaction to the death of Alexei Navalny, the opposition leader, last month, according to a Bloomberg report on March 7. They cited a draft proposal showing the EU's move in response to the incident.
Alexei Navalny, known as President Vladimir Putin's most significant political challenger, passed away on February 16 in a penal colony located in Kharp, within the Yamal Nenets Autonomous District. His death followed convictions in several cases that were widely regarded as unjust, reflecting the Kremlin's broader efforts to suppress opposition.
In the wake of Navalny's death, several nations including the U.S., the U.K., Canada, and Australia have already initiated new sanctions against Russia.
The EU now readies restrictive measures against 35 individuals, including prison and government officials and judges, Bloomberg wrote. The IK-3 and IK-6 penal colonies where Navalny was imprisoned are also reportedly included in the list.
Navalny was detained in Russia in January 2021 and was later sent to prison on two separate sentences, one for nine years and another for 19, in trial proceedings described by human rights groups as a "sham."
The opposition leader was moved to the IK-6 maximum security prison in Melekhovo, Vladimir Oblast, in June 2022. Since December 2023, Navalny was held at IK-3, where he also died.
Leaders around the world pointed at Putin as to blame for Navalny's death. It remains unclear whether the harsh prison conditions caused his death or if he was intentionally murdered.
