February 18, 2024
Navalny’s killing will ‘repress the Russian people,’ Putin critic tells DW
Bill Browder, the American-born British co-founder of Hermitage Capital Management and an adamant critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, spoke to DW at the MSC regarding the death of Alexei Navalny.
The death of the Russian opposition leader has been confirmed by Navalny’s allies, but they say the Russian government is refusing to hand over his body.
Browder asserted that “Putin killed Alexei Navalny” and the “purpose of this murder is to send a message to anybody in Russia who’s even thinking about Vladimir Putin that if you challenge Vladimir Putin, you will be killed.”
“And that message I believe is an extremely strong message because Alexei Navalny was such a larger than life bigger figure and to take the biggest person and take him down I think is absolutely going to suppress and repress the Russian people, sadly,” he continued.
Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy had said it was no coincidence that Navalny’s death was announced shortly before the MSC kicked off on Friday. Browder said that the news of Navalny’s death before the event was Putin’s way “to effectively troll the entire world.”
“Even though he’s not in person, along with his entourage, by killing Alexei Navalny, Putin is in the head of every single person at this conference all through the weekend,” Browder said.
When asked about those at the MSC who believe there is a way to negotiate with Putin to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Browder rejected the idea.
“Putin has made it clear that there’s no negotiation, and that he has no capacity to compromise, to seek peace. Putin is a warmonger,” Browder said.
Browder also said he worried about the fate of his close friend, Russian opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza, who has been handed a 25-year prison sentence.
“Alexei Navalny has now been killed and Vladimir Kara-Murza is probably next on the block,” Browder said. “We’re terrified for his safety and for his well-being and one of the main topics of the conference for me here is to work with Western leaders to try to figure out a way to free Vladimir Kura-Murza so he doesn’t end up dead like Alexei Navalny did.”
Browder, as a Putin critic, also expressed concerns for his own safety: “It’s a very dangerous place for people like me and anybody who opposes Putin in Russia or anywhere in the world, unfortunately.”
