Iohannis, saddened by death of Aleksei Navalny, urges Russia to conduct transparent and comprehensive investigation
President Klaus Iohannis said on Friday that he is saddened by the death of Aleksei Navalny, "courageous fighter for freedom and rights" and demands that the Russian Federation conduct "a transparent and comprehensive investigation" in this case.
"I am deeply saddened by the news that Aleksei Navalny has died. Our thoughts of compassion go out to his family and friends. Today, the international community has lost a brave fighter for freedom and rights. We urge Russia to conduct a transparent and comprehensive investigation," the head of state wrote on the X platform (formerly Twitter).
Senate President Nicolae Ciuca, leader of the National Liberal Party (PNL), also said on Friday that he was deeply saddened by the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Anatolievich Navalny, noting that he was a "strong voice for democracy" and that this tragic loss underlines the urgent need "for real democracy in Russia".
"I am deeply saddened by the news of Aleksei Navalny's death. A strong voice for democracy and transparency in Russia, his fight against corruption and for human rights will not be forgotten. This tragic loss underlines the urgent need for real democracy in Russia," Nicolae Ciuca conveyed on social media platform X.
"Russia has lost today one of its leading anti-corruption fighters and a fervent supporter of democracy. The tragic loss of Aleksei Navalny reminds us how precious freedom is and how important it is to unite in defense of democratic values. His courage and determination will not be forgotten in the free world," wrote Ciuca.
Romanian Foreign Affairs Minister Luminita Odobescu, reacting on Friday to the death of Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, said that he will remain a symbol of the fight for freedom and democracy.
"Shocked by Alexei Navalny's death. There should be no doubt about responsibility of Putin's regime. Navalny remains a symbol for the fight for freedom, liberty and democracy. Deepest condolences to his family. Romania stands united with those who strive for justice and freedom against autocracy," the Romanian chief diplomat wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
MEP and former European Commissioner Dacian Ciolos also took to social media to deplore the death of the jailed Russian opponent.
"The death of Russian dissident Aleksei Navalny shows that in a dictatorial society the system can kill you without anyone being held accountable for the crime. May God rest Navalny in peace, the one who had the strength to stand up to Putin to the very end. The supporters of Putinist rhetoric in Romania, Simion and Sosoaca, should at least have the decency to stop using the words 'freedom' and 'democracy' in the propaganda they spread in a country that found its way to the West with the price of blood," Ciolos wrote on Facebook on Friday.
In his turn, Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Dan Barna said that "Aleksei Navalny was murdered because he opposed Putin's tyranny."
"This is yet another moment when the Kremlin dictator shows his contempt for people, democracy and any idea of freedom. The free world must stay united to defeat this criminal. Now more than ever it is important to support Ukraine, because dictators like Putin don't understand 'democracy' other than by physically taking out those who dare think differently than their official propaganda," Barna wrote on X.