The commemoration came days after the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands issued a joint statement saying they were “confident” Navalny had been poisoned with a lethal toxin. Russia rejected the allegation. Navalny, a prominent critic of the Kremlin, died in custody on February 16, 2024, prompting international condemnation and renewed scrutiny of conditions for political prisoners in Russia. The European statement said its conclusion was based on a joint investigation into Navalny’s death and called for accountability.