EU leads call for probe into Navalny's death at UN human rights body

People take part in a demonstration near the Russian embassy in Rome, after the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, Italy, February 16, 2024. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane/File Photo

GENEVA (Reuters) - A group of more than 40 countries on Monday reiterated calls for Russia to allow an independent international investigation into the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in prison.

The call was made by European Union ambassador Lotte Knudsen at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on behalf of all 27 EU states and 16 other countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States and Ukraine.