Russian authorities have dismissed calls from the European Union for an independent investigation into the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Last weekend, Navalny passed away in a Russian prison, sparking international concern. The EU urged Russia to allow an impartial examination of Navalny's sudden death, emphasizing the need for transparency in the investigation.

Navalny's family, including his mother Lyudmila Navalnaya and wife, have been denied access to his body and information regarding the circumstances of his death. Lyudmila Navalnaya pleaded with Russian President Vladimir Putin to release her son's body for a proper burial. The family's requests have been met with silence and refusals from Russian officials, who have also declined to provide details surrounding Navalny's death.

The opposition leader, known for his anti-government activism and efforts to combat corruption in Russia, previously survived a poisoning incident in 2020 where he was exposed to a suspected Novichok nerve agent. Officials informed Navalny's mother of his death by citing "sudden death syndrome," a vague medical term that highlights unexpected fatalities without specifying a definitive cause.

The refusal by Russian authorities to cooperate with an international investigation has heightened concerns about the state of human rights and democracy in the country. The rejection of the EU's request for transparency in Navalny's case underscores the ongoing tensions between Russia and Western nations.