The Australian Government has imposed additional targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on three Russian officials linked to the prison where Alexei Navalny died.
This announcement follows the Magnitsky-style human rights sanctions the Government imposed on seven individuals involved in the mistreatment of Mr Navalny in the IK-6 Penal Colony prior to his transfer to IK-3.
Mr Navalny died in IK-3, one of Russia’s harshest prisons, on 16 February 2024.
At IK-3, Mr Navalny was held in sub-zero temperatures and reports suggest he was repeatedly subjected to stretches in punishment cells. After his death, the Russian Government withheld Navalny’s remains from his mother for over a week.
Our thoughts are with Mr Navalny’s family and his supporters in Russia and across the world as they mourn him at his funeral later today. We recognise the work of all in Russia who promote democracy and human rights.
Australia holds President Putin and the Russian Government responsible for Mr Navalny’s treatment and death in prison. These sanctions, and those imposed by our partners, reinforce our commitment to accountability for Mr Navalny’s death.
Australia again calls for an independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr Navalny’s death.