City deputies approved a vote of condolence on the death of Alexei Navalny

The Municipal Assembly deputies unanimously approved a vote of condolences this Monday evening for the death of Russian opponent Alexei Navalny, presented by the 'Rui Moreira: Aqui Há Porto' movement.

Maria Barbosa Ducharne, from the 'Rui Moreira: Aqui Há Porto' movement, recalled that Alexei Navalny 'stood out for his courage in openly opposing Vladimir Putin. He bravely denounced the rottenness of the Russian regime, from corruption to oppression, and the continued disregard for fundamental rights. He was a serious, energetic and deeply courageous opponent'.

'We're talking about a human being, but he's also a symbol of resistance in the fight for freedom and democracy, in confronting oppression and tyranny', he added.

All parties joined in the vote of condolences, although CDU deputy Rui Sá declared that his party did not agree 'with the recitals of the proposal'. 'We don't bow to the memory of Navalny, who, while alive, defended positions on nationalism and racism and had xenophobic positions', he said.

'We can only regret the death of a man and demand full clarification of the circumstances of his death', Rui Sá emphasised.