(RepublicanDaily.org) – In a bizarre turn of events, Russia has added Republican South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham to its list of national “terrorists and extremists” after the GOP senator accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of being behind the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Speaking on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Graham described meeting with Navalny, calling him “one of the bravest people” he ever met. Graham said that despite the fact that Navalny knew that “he was going to be killed by Putin” once he returned to Russia, he still went through with it.
In a post on social media Navalny said that he returned to his homeland because he did not want to betray “either my country or my beliefs.” He said that it was important to him that he was still able to stand up for his beliefs, “and if necessary, make some sacrifices.”
And Navalny did indeed sacrifice, as the Putin regime immediately threw him into one of its harshest prisons upon his return. He was charged with extremism and embezzlement, and was sentenced to a total of 30 years in prison. During his incarceration, the opposition leader was thrown into solitary confinement several times. He also frequently fell ill, causing his allies to suspect that he was being poisoned through his food. Navalny finally died on February 16 this year – Russian authorities say that he collapsed after taking a walk on the prison grounds, attributing his death to the vague “sudden death syndrome.”
“He was murdered by Putin,” Graham said of Navalny and his persecution by the Putin-led Russian government.
In a rare case of bipartisanship, Graham said he agreed with President Joe Biden when the latter said that Putin would “pay a price” if something happened to Navalny.
“President Biden, I agree with you,” Graham said, adding that the price for Navalny’s death should be “to make Russia a state sponsor of terrorism.”
Graham has been a long-time critic of Russia, even more so after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russia has also issued a warrant for Lindsey’s arrest. The latest development only had Graham further scoffing at the Putin led-regime.
“There goes all my rubles!” the South Carolina senator quipped on social media.
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