Canada summons Russian ambassador to protest Alexei Navalny's death

Canada has summoned the Kremlin's ambassador in Ottawa for a lambasting over the reported death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny while in Russian custody, Global Affairs Canada says.

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly requested that Ambassador Oleg Stepanov be summoned on Wednesday to hear Canada's rebuke.

Russia's prison agency said Friday that Navalny, who was serving a 19-year sentence in an Arctic penal colony, lost consciousness after a walk and could not be revived.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was quickly blamed for the death of his political opponent and world leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, vowed to hold Russia to account.

A senior Canadian official conveyed the country's «strong condemnation» to Stepanov, Joly's office said in a written statement late Wednesday afternoon.

The official also called on the Russian government to conduct a full and transparent inquiry into the death and release Navalny's body to his family without delay.

«He also expressed concern for other political prisoners in Russia and emphasized the need for Russia to protect rather than punish/arrest the Russian citizens who are mourning the loss of Navalny,» Joly's office said.

«Alexei Navalny was a symbol of hope for the Russian people and his legacy will live on for generations to come. Canada has already sanctioned those involved in the human rights abuses against Navalny, and we will join our partners in holding those responsible for his death to account as well.»

Following fiercely critical comments from Trudeau, Joly and others on Friday, Russia's embassy posted a social media message urging Canada to stop «interfering into our internal affairs.»

«Every death is a tragedy. But the death of a Russian citizen is