The widow of former Russian political opponent Alexeï Navalny is expected to meet Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly in Ottawa on Tuesday.
Yulia Navalnaya’s visit comes four months after the death of her husband in a Russian prison, as she pledges to continue her work.
Alexei Navalny was considered Russian President Vladimir Putin’s fiercest enemy and ran for office to fight corruption in the government.
He was repeatedly harassed, attacked with chemicals and poisoned with nerve agents, before being imprisoned.
After his death in February, Justin Trudeau accused Vladimir Putin of having the political dissident executed to stifle an opposition voice.
Mélanie Joly will meet Mme Navalnaya in Ottawa on Tuesday afternoon, and they are expected to discuss human rights in Russia and the risks facing political dissidents. Yulia Navalnaya is also expected to meet the Canadian Prime Minister.
Canada summoned Russia’s ambassador to reprimand him following the death of Alexei Navalny in February, and the federal government sanctioned some Russian officials linked to the death.
A statement published by the Russian embassy on the social network X in February called on Canada to stop interfering in Russia’s internal affairs.
Moscow denies playing any role in the opposition leader’s death and says he died while walking in the penal colony above the Arctic Circle, where he was serving a 19-year sentence. prison.
The Russian Embassy has not yet issued any statement regarding Mr.me Navalnaya in Canada.
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