At the Munich Security Conference on Friday, shortly after Navalny’s death in a penal colony was announced, Yulia Navalnaya accused Putin of murdering her husband.

“Putin had a specific reason for killing Alexei three days ago, which we will reveal soon. We’ll identify those responsible for this crime, naming them and showing their faces,” she stated on Monday.

“Putin aimed not just to kill Alexei — but to extinguish our hope, freedom, and future. I’ve supported Alexei throughout the years — but today, I stand by you, understanding your loss is no less significant than mine,” Yulia Navalnaya said.

Regarding her potential role as opposition leader to Putin, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna told POLITICO: “As an icon, certainly, but the opposition must collectively decide on the new leader.” Yulia Navalnaya was invited to speak at a meeting of European Union foreign ministers on Monday.

Navalny’s body remains inaccessible to his family and team. On Monday, the Salekhard morgue staff prevented Navalny’s mother and lawyers from entering, as reported by his press secretary, Kira Yarmysh, on X (formerly Twitter). Surveillance footage published by Mediazona shows a convoy possibly transporting Navalny’s body towards Salekhard on the night of February 17.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Monday the Kremlin is not involved in the decision to release the body to Navalny’s family.