'Putin is a killer': Protests erupt across Europe over Navalny's death

In a show of solidarity and condemnation, hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the Russian Embassy in London on Friday night, protesting the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and accusing Vladimir Putin of his murder. Protesters covered the entrance gate of the embassy in Kensington with red paint and handprints, while across the road, a makeshift shrine honoring Navalny was erected. Placards bearing messages such as “Putin is a murderer” and “Kremlin kills” adorned the protest scene, with chants denouncing Putin’s regime reverberating in both Russian and English. Among the protestors were individuals waving the white-blue-white flag symbolising the Russian opposition. Although the embassy remained illuminated, no officials emerged to engage with the crowd, prompting passing motorists to express solidarity by honking their horns. Similar protests unfolded in major European capitals. In Berlin, demonstrators demanded justice by chanting “Putin to the Hague,” alluding to the international criminal court’s scrutiny of potential war crimes in Ukraine. Paris saw around 100 protesters gathering near the Russian Embassy, brandishing signs condemning Putin as a murderer. In the Netherlands, hundreds congregated in Amsterdam’s central Dam Square, wielding banners proclaiming “Putin is a killer.” The demonstrations underscore a widespread condemnation of Navalny’s death and mounting opposition to Putin’s leadership, resonating across borders and sparking calls for accountability and justice.