US warns of reaction if Navalny dies as protests are called

The United States warned Moscow of “consequences” if Vladimir Putin’s most prominent critic Alexei Navalny dies in prison, as the opposition politician’s team called for mass protests across Russia to help save his life.

A day after Navalny’s doctors said the hunger-striking Navalny could die “any minute,” US President Joe Biden’s national security advisor said Washington had warned that the Kremlin would be “held accountable by the international community” if he died.

France, Germany and the European Union on Sunday joined a chorus of protest at Navalny’s plight. EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation on Monday.

Concerns over Navalny’s health have mounted against the background of a spike in tensions between Moscow and the West over a litany of issues, including Russia’s troop build-up on Ukraine’s border, interference in US elections and other perceived hostile activities.

Navalny’s team on Sunday called for massive protests across Russia on Wednesday evening, just hours after Putin is set to deliver his stateof-the-nation address.

“It’s time to act. We are talking not just about Navalny’s freedom but his life,” Navalny’s right-hand man Leonid Volkov said on Facebook.

Volkov, who heads Navalny’s regional offices, said Wednesday’s rally could become a decisive battle against “absolute evil” – or Russia’s last opposition rally for years to come. He called for a huge turnout.

“We’ve found ourselves in an extreme, absolutely urgent situation. Extreme times call for extreme measures,” he said.