Updated 2.40pm with Ian Borg comments
Maltese politicians reacted with shock to news of the death of Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny on Friday, as they called for Moscow to be clear about how he died suddenly.
Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg said Malta wanted Russian authorities “to provide clarity regarding the circumstances of his death", as he offered Navalny’s family the country’s condolences. Malta currently holds the role of chair of the OSCE, the largest regional security organisation in the world, which also includes Russia.
Navalny died while taking a walk at a penal colony in the Arctic circle, Moscow claimed, adding that the cause of his death “was still being established”.
The vocal critic of Vladimir Putin’s regime had previously survived various assassination attempts, with indications that the Kremlin was behind them.
Prime Minister Robert Abela said news of Navalny's death was "devastating" and described the Russian as a "staunch champion of democracy."
"My heartfelt condolences go out to his family," Abela said on X.
Opposition leader Bernard Grech said Navalny’s fight for democracy and transparency will not be forgotten.
“Our thoughts are with his family and those who stand for freedom in Russia and around the world. “
Among the first to react to news of Navalny’s death was European Parliament Roberta Metsola, who did not mince her words.
Russia took Alexei Navalny’s freedom and life but not his dignity, Metsola said.
“The world has lost a fighter whose courage will echo through generations. Horrified by the death of Sakharov Prize laureate Alexei Navalny… His struggle for democracy lives on. Our thoughts are with his wife & children,” the European Parliament president tweeted.
Metsola’s colleague in the EP, David Casa, was even more scathing in his reaction: “Putin has finally rid himself of Alexi Navalny, a stubborn thorn in the thigh of a dictator. But he will remain haunted by his regime's crimes in Ukraine and the repression of his own population. Navalny is immortalised in the continued efforts to fight Putin's brutal regime.