Finland's political leaders have expressed their condolences following reports of the death of jailed Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny on Friday.
The prison service of the Yamalo-Nenets region, where Navalny had been serving a 30-year sentence on extremism and fraud charges, announced he died on Friday morning after 'feeling unwell' and 'losing consciousness' following a walk.
Navalny's charges were widely seen as politically motivated, as the opposition leader had led anti-Kremlin protests in the 2010s and was an outspoken critic of the Russian leadership.
In response to the reports, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) told Yle that the responsibility for Navalny's death lies with Russia.
"If the information is true, then yes, it will be shocking and upsetting. It shows what the Russian leadership is capable of. Russia is responsible for this [Navalny's death]," Orpo said, adding that political opposition is "practically impossible" in Russia.
Orpo also offered his condolences to Navalny's family.
Finland's outgoing president Sauli Niinistö echoed Orpo's comments about Russia's responsibility in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Other reactions from Finland started appearing on social media shortly after Navalny's death was announced.
European Parliament Vice President Heidi Hautala was among the first Finnish politicans to react to the news.
In a post on X, opposition Left Alliance party leader and former presidential candidate Li Andersson called Navalny's death a human tragedy.
"If this holds true it is yet another huge human tragedy. Russia can change only if the brave Russians who oppose Putin can endure and dare to continue their work towards democracy and human rights and challenging the government," Andersson's post read.
Another candidate in Finland's recent presidential election, Mika Aaltola, quoted Navalny's words.
National Coaltion MP Pia Kauma also offered her condolences.
Also writing on X, Finns Party MP Jani Mäkelä said "Russia is a rogue state. Its leaders are criminals."
Leader of the Swedish Peoples' Party and Education Minister Anna-Maja Henriksson called Navalny "brave".
"He showed the entire world that you can't give in to evil. He was brave. He paid the highest possible price for it. Hopefully there is still hope for something better in Russia. Now it seems that one way or another, those who think differently are being silenced," Henriksson said in a post on X.
A memorial service will be held for Navalny in Helsinki's Uspenski Cathedral on Friday evening, the Orthodox Church of Finland said in a statement.
The press release also called on other churches around Finland to do the same.
