The Canadian Foreign Minister announced more sanctions against the Russian government, which she said was a response to the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny last month and to the "serious and systematic ongoing Russian human rights violations."

Melanie Joly announced the sanctions in a statement early Sunday morning, stating that measures would be imposed on six senior Russian officials and high-ranking employees in the prosecution, judiciary, and penal system. The statement says they are involved in violating "Navalny's human rights, his harsh punishment, and ultimately his death."

Navalny (47 years old) was widely considered the biggest political enemy of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

During a visit to Ukraine late last month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Putin of "executing" Navalny, who unexpectedly died a week ago in a penal colony in the Arctic where he was serving a 19-year prison sentence.

The Kremlin denied allegations that Putin was involved in Navalny's death, describing them as "blatant and completely unfounded accusations against the Russian head of state."

Joly said that Russia must conduct a full and transparent investigation into Navalny's death, whom she described as "the voice of hope for the Russian people, as well as the voice of freedom, justice, democracy, and a better future for Russia.

Canada announced on February 23 sanctions on 10 other Russian officials and businessmen and 153 entities, in coordination with the United States and the United Kingdom.