The death of Alexei Navalny in a Russian prison is a stark reminder of the regime’s appalling oppression of dissidence, President Maia Sandu said in reaction to the news about the death of the Russian opposition leader in a penitentiary in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, IPN reports.

“My sincere thoughts go to his family, to all the Russians with democratic mentality and to those who bravely fight for freedom and democracy in Russia and abroad,” noted Maia Sandu.

Prime Minister Dorin Recean also came with a reaction. “The death of Alexei Navalny persuasively reminds us why we must continue to oppose the Kremlin’s brutality and defend the democratic values. Like Alexei, people around the world are fighting for freedom, democracy and respect for human rights. And the fight should never stop,” stated the Premier.

“His legacy must live because a free Russia means a safer world for all of us,” said Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu.

Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Andrei Spînu wrote on Facebook that Alexei Navalny was killed. “In life we always hear that we must learn the lessons of history and not repeat them. Today, we must learn the lessons of the present, the lessons of people who sacrificed their lives for freedom and democracy. Thank you, Alexei Navalny,” said Andrei Spînu.

Alexei Navalny was 47. Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service said that he reportedly felt unwell after a walk. He was being held in a prison in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District.