A dozen supporters and representatives of CIVIL – Center for Freedom, a Macedonian human rights organization, gathered today at noon in front of the Russian Embassy in Skopje to deliver a protest letter, upon the death of the Russian opposition leader, Alexey Navalny.

Some of the CIVIL activists wore T-shirts with the inscription “Je suis Navalny” as they read the “Open letter to the citizens of the Russian Federation” in front of the Russian Embassy in the Macedonian capital.

“With heavy hearts, we mourn the passing of Alexey Navalny, a champion for democracy and human rights, who fell victim to the ruthless regime of a genocidal dictator. Although Navalny’s body may have succumbed to the regime’s brutality, his legacy lives on, immortalized in the hearts and minds of thousands of courageous Russian citizens. In commemorating his life, they face brutality and death at the hands of the Russian government,” CIVIL stated in the letter.

Representatives of CIVIL assert that Navalny’s name and his relentless pursuit of democracy and human rights will endure in the hearts and minds of freedom-loving people worldwide, as well as within the Russian Federation.

According to CIVIL, the responsibility for the death of a prisoner ultimately rests with the state.

“We urge the Russian authorities to allow an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Alexey Navalny’s death in the Siberian penal colony,” CIVIL implored.

The organization presented several demands, including the release of political prisoners in Russia, an end to the war against Ukraine, and the prosecution of Putin before the international court.

“We join the demands for the release of all political prisoners in Russia! Put an end to police brutality and oppression against citizens! Cease the genocidal war against Ukraine! Terminate the hybrid war against democratic nations! Bring Putin to the International Court of Justice to face trial for his crimes!” reads the statement from CIVIL.

After reading the letter in front of the embassy, where journalists from two national TV stations and internet media were present, the activists placed the messages in the embassy’s mailbox.

One activist adorned the mailbox with flowers and held a piece of paper bearing Navalny’s famous statement:

“If they decide to kill me, it means that we are incredibly strong!”

The letter was delivered in Macedonian, Albanian, and English.

CIVIL News Desk