Albanese faults Putin for Navalny’s demise

Anthony Albanese says Russian President Vladimir Putin is liable for Alexei Navalny’s demise. “This has been a horrifying barbarity,” he said of the Russian resistance pioneer who was tracked down dead in jail on Friday.

“This is a brave man who stood up for democratic values and human rights in Russia in his country. “His treatment is just beyond the pale and we hold Vladimir Putin responsible for that,” Mr Albanese said.

Mr Navalny’s spokesperson confirmed he had died at a remote Arctic penal colony. The spokesperson alleges Navalny was murdered, but doctors are yet to reveal the cause of death.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong told her department to call Russia’s ambassador to outline the Australian government’s serious concerns over Mr Navalny’s death.