Sen. Lindsey Graham has been added to Russia’s list of “extremists and terrorists” days after he proposed that the U.S. designate Russia a state sponsor of terrorism following the death of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny.
Russian state media first reported that Graham (R-S.C.), a long-time Russia hawk, had been added to the list, which is monitored by Rosfinmonitoring, the country’s state financial watchdog. That followed Graham blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin for Navalny’s death in prison last week.
“Navalny was one of the bravest people I ever met. When he went back to Russia he had to know he was going to be killed by Putin, and he was murdered by Putin,” Graham said Sunday during an interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
“President Biden told Putin, if something happens to Navalny, you’re going to pay a price. President Biden, I agree with you, the price they should pay is to make Russia a state sponsor of terrorism,” he later added.
The 47-year-old Navalny’s death spurred international shock and outrage, though the top Putin critic was repeatedly targeted in recent years and was previously subjected to imprisonment and poisoning. His death came a month before a presidential election in Russia, where Putin is set to extend his more than two-decade term leading the country.
Two U.S. journalists, Tom Rogan and Hugo Gurdon of the Washington Examiner, were also added to Russia’s list of “extremists and terrorists” earlier this month, POLITICO previously reported.
