Reactions of political leaders to Navalny's death

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny died in prison. The reactions in Bulgaria after the announcement of the death of the Kremlin's biggest critic were not delayed.

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Navalny's death is sad news that shows why it is important to value democracy, Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov was quoted as saying by the Council of Ministers' official Facebook account on Friday.

"For years Navalny has been a symbol of the struggle against dictatorship in Russia, of the fight for free speech, of the fact that a person cannot be imprisoned over a different opinion. Step by step, the noose has been tightening around Navalny," Denkov stated.

"We have to imagine that another world exists, and in this world, where no one can freely say what they think except the one who is on top, they can send you to a penal colony. We must not forget this because it has also happened in our country," he stressed.

"Navalny is dead?! No, Navalny was killed! The regime killed him! This is murder against democracy. What is needed is strong pressure on the Kremlin and more aid for Ukraine," GERB leader Boyko Borissov wrote on his Facebook account.

“Putin does not understand that by killing Navalny, he is not killing the spirit of freedom, he is making him stronger and invincible, because now Navalny has become a symbol of strength, of hope, of freedom, who cannot be chained in prison, who cannot be hidden from the people, who cannot be killed again. Navalny has won! Putin will lose!", Kirill Petkov, co-chairman of "We Continue the Change", wrote.

"We Continue the Change" condemned the events surrounding the death of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, the anti-human measures and conditions he was subjected to in prison in Russia.

"Navalny's death is an attempt at a blatant systematic and targeted murder of free will. Of democracy. Of the courage to be an oppositionist and a fighter for justice.

As a pro-European party, we at “We Continue the Change” are firmly opposed to the Kremlin's repressive and criminal actions against human rights. We will continue to fight for peace and the normal development of our country by defending the interests of Bulgaria and Bulgarian citizens and not allowing Russian influence in our country to stop this process. The parliamentary group of the WCC-DB will submit a bill for the comprehensive introduction of all sanctions and measures against the Putin regime and its economic interests on Bulgarian soil.

We believe that the death of Alexei Navalny is far from the end of the struggle for a free and democratic world. Although posthumously, he shows us the meaning of the battle that the world is waging with the Putin regime. The point of supporting Ukraine. The point of coming together. For democracy to win, for freedom, for Ukraine, for peace in Europe and ultimately for Bulgaria," the party said in a statement.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mariya Gabriel, expressed condolences to the family and relatives of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on his death.

"I am deeply distraught to learn of the death of Alexei Navalny," Gabriel wrote on the social network "Ex". He fought for freedom, defended democratic values and demonstrated remarkable courage," Gabriel added.