Quick Bytes
- Director Daniel Roher accuses Putin of murdering Alexei Navalny.
- Navalny’s death is seen as a message to opposition by Russian officials.
- U.S. President Biden holds Putin responsible for Navalny’s death.
- Navalny documentary won the 2023 Oscar for best documentary.
Summary of Navalny’s Death and Accusations Against Putin
Daniel Roher, the director behind the Oscar-winning documentary “Navalny,” has openly accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of orchestrating the death of Alexei Navalny, a prominent opposition leader. In a recent interview, Roher described the manner of Navalny’s death as overt and a clear warning to any opposition figures. Despite Navalny’s seemingly good health and spirited demeanor in his final days, Roher and U.S. officials, including President Biden, have pointed the finger at Putin for this tragic event.
Navalny, who was serving a 19-year sentence on charges deemed politically motivated, had previously survived a poisoning attempt in 2020. He had accused Putin of being behind the attempt on his life, an allegation Putin has denied. The documentary “Navalny” highlights the opposition leader’s investigation into the poisoning, including a remarkable phone call where Navalny duped an agent into detailing the assassination attempt.
The Russian prison service reported that Navalny felt unwell after a walk and subsequently lost consciousness. While the official cause of death remains unannounced, the consensus among U.S. officials echoes Roher’s and Biden’s sentiments: Putin is responsible for Navalny’s death, further underscoring the Russian president’s reputed brutality.
