ALBAWABA - Weeks after the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the Canadian government announced new sanctions against six Russian officials.
On Feb. 16, Russian officials announced the death of Navalny in an Arctic prison colony and kept his body for several days before allowing his family to hold the funeral, which was held in a church in Maryino on March 1, according to the opposition leader's team.
Canadian Foreign Ministry announced in a statement imposing sanctions on "senior officials and high-ranking employees of Russia’s prosecution, judicial and correctional services."
It further maintained that the six Russians were linked in the violation of Alexei "Navalny's human rights, his cruel punishment and ultimately, his death."
"Alongside our partners, Canada will maintain pressure on the Russian government to conduct a full and transparent inquiry into the death of Mr. Navalny," Melanie Joly, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister, said.
She continued: "This increased pressure on the Russian government sends a clear signal that human rights must be unequivocally respected."
Noting that Navalny was serving a 19-year prison sentence for "extremism."
