Alexei Navalny, Russian politician who opposed Putin to the end, has died in prison
Alexei Navalny, Russia’s most prominent political opposition figure, has passed away in a remote Russian prison at the age of 47. The news of Navalny’s death was announced by the Federal Penitentiary Service in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, situated above the Arctic Circle.
According to prison authorities, Navalny “felt unwell” following a walk in the prison yard and subsequently lost consciousness. Despite attempts by emergency medics to resuscitate him, their efforts were unsuccessful.
Navalny had been serving a lengthy prison sentence on charges, including extremism, which many perceived as retribution for his years of outspoken criticism against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Alexei Navalny, a prominent Russian opposition figure, has tragically passed away in a Russian prison, prompting swift reactions from around the world. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that President Putin has been informed of Navalny’s death, and prison medics are working to determine the cause.
Concerns over Navalny’s well-being and safety in prison had been ongoing, with allegations of denied medical care and harsh treatment, including solitary confinement. There were even suspicions of poisoning. Despite appearing healthy in a video shared by Russia’s independent SOTA news service during a court hearing, Navalny’s conditions in prison remained worrisome.
Navalny was serving a 19-year sentence on charges such as extremism and embezzlement, widely viewed as retaliation for his political activism. As a vocal critic of Putin, Navalny had amassed a significant following by addressing corruption in the government and advocating for change in Russia.
Even from behind bars, Navalny continued to oppose Putin’s regime and its actions, including the invasion of Ukraine. Before his disappearance in December, Navalny had launched a campaign to mobilize Russians against Putin’s potential fifth presidential term in the upcoming elections scheduled for March.