Russian opposition figure Yulia Navalnaya called President Vladimir Putin a "liar, a thief (and) a murderer" Tuesday, shortly before his inauguration for an unprecedented fifth Kremlin term.
Navalnaya has vowed to continue the work of her husband Alexei Navalny, Putin's main opponent who died in an Arctic prison in February.
Putin was sworn into office on Tuesday afternoon at the Kremlin.
"Our country is being led by a liar, a thief and a murderer. But this will definitely come to an end," Navalnaya, who lives in exile, said in a video.
Navalnaya said that Putin's latest term was marked by a "war that is bloody and senseless" in Ukraine and political repression in Russia.
"There are several hundred political prisoners in Russia enduring inhumane conditions," she said. "New cases are being opened every day."
Navalnaya said Putin's "promises" to improve living standards during his over two-decade rule have been "empty and deceitful."
"It has been going on for 25 years. It will be the same this time," she said.
"With each of his terms, everything only gets worse, and it's frightening to imagine what else will happen while Putin remains in power."
© Agence France-Presse
Sign In