Key Ally Of Navalny Says His Widow Is 'Leader We Need'

The widow of Alexei Navalny is the leader that Russia's opposition needs after his "cold-blooder murder", a key ally of the Putin critic said. Vladimir Ashurkov, director of Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, said Yulia Navalnaya was her husband's "rock" throughout his career and it was quite natural she would carry on his work.

- ALEXANDER BUTLER

Navalny, 47, died in an Arctic penal colony last week in what Ms Navalnaya claimed was a novichok poisoning. The Kremlin has denied any involvement in his death. “Yulia has been the rock on which Navalny has been standing throughout his political career. She is a very strong lady and it is quite natural that she decided to carry his torch of trying to bring freedom and the rule of law to Russia,” Mr Ashurkov told The Independent.

“Everything is very raw and fresh and painful but her initial statements addressed to a Russian and European audience showed her strong resolve and leadership. Yulia is the type of leader that is needed in this situation.”