Secretary-General of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Haytham Rahmeh, has weighed in on the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, stating, “Dictatorship regimes adopt the same tactics in dealing with their opponents, and Navalny likely died in Russian prisons, just as thousands of detainees died in Syrian prisons under the Assad regime.”
Rahmeh emphasized, “These failed regimes do not accept criticism, participation, or dialogue, and are based on oppression, terrorism, and the arrest of those holding political opinions that do not agree with their unjust policies.” He referenced the widely-known “Caesar” photographs depicting the torture and deaths of over 11,000 detainees in Syrian prisons within two years, underscoring the brutality of the Assad regime.
Regarding Navalny’s situation, Rahmeh suggested that previous violations against Navalny in Russian prisons strengthen international suspicions of Putin’s regime involvement in Navalny’s demise.
Rahma called upon the international community to intervene and halt the violations perpetrated by dictatorial regimes against their opponents. He demanded a transparent investigation into Navalny’s death and urged for accountability for those involved.
Navalny, a prominent Russian lawyer and political activist, rose to prominence in Russia for his outspoken criticism of corruption and steadfast opposition to Putin.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
