Alexei Navalny’s reported death in prison had led to speculation about exactly what happened – and who, if anyone, is responsible.
The opposition leader, considered the most vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin, had been serving time in jail on charges he believes were politically motivated.
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Since the first report of his death emerged there has been swirling speculation about exactly what happened – and if anyone was responsible.
Here’s what we know so far.
Death of Navalny ‘confirmed’
The first report of Navalny’s death came from the Office of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia.
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It said in a statement that he “felt unwell after a walk, almost immediately losing consciousness”.
“All necessary resuscitation measures were carried out, but they did not yield positive results,” the statement added.
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“Emergency medical doctors confirmed the death of the convict.”
Image: Navalny speaks from prison via a video link in 2022. Pic: AP
Why was he in prison and where was he being held?
Navalny, 47, was being held at the IK-3 ‘Polar Wolf’ prison in Kharp, about 1,200 miles (1,900km) northeast of Moscow and north of the Arctic Circle.
He was jailed for a range of charges including extremism relating to his Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), charges he has said were politically motivated.
Russia’s investigative committee said it has launched a procedural probe into the death.
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What has the Kremlin said?
Putin famously refused to refer to Navalny – the man considered one of the greatest threats to his regime – by name.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Russia’s penitentiary service was making all checks regarding the death of Navalny, but that he had no information about the matter.
Peskov said Putin had been informed of Navalny’s death.
Meanwhile, Russia’s foreign ministry told the US to show restraint and wait for the results of a forensic medical examination before accusing the Kremlin of Navalny’s death, Russia state media TASS has reported.
Image: Navalny appears in handcuffs in court in 2017. Pic: AP
What have Navalny’s friends, family and allies said?
Earlier on Friday, Navalny’s entourage insisted no confirmation of his death had been shared with them, with his lawyer flying out to the Siberian prison in which he was being held to verify the reports.
“Relatives must be notified within 24 hours if this is true,” said Ivan Zhdanov. “There were no [such] notifications.”
Navalny’s wife Yulia has said Putin and his associates will not go unpunished if the news of his death turns out to be true.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, she called upon the international community to come together and fight against the “horrific regime” in Russia.
What have world leaders said?
There has been widespread condemnation of Russian authorities from world leaders following the news of Navalny’s death.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his death reminds the world what a “monster” Putin is.
“He was such a strong fighter for democracy, for freedoms for the Russian people,” Mr Trudeau said of Navalny on CBC Radio.
Mr Trudeau’s French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron, expressed “anger and indignation” over Navalny’s death.
“In today’s Russia, free spirits are put in the gulag and sentenced to death,” he said.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said Russia “and all those responsible” must be held accountable.
“Navalny’s death is yet another dark reminder of the rogue regime we’re dealing with,” she wrote on X.
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Will Navalny’s death spark protests in Russia?
After years of repression and crackdowns, it is very hard to protest in Russia these days.
Anyone taking to the streets to mourn Navalny would risk arrest and imprisonment.
There have been calls online for people to take to the streets, but the Russian prosecutor’s office has warned citizens against participating in action in the centre of Moscow.
Taking part in “unauthorised mass actions”, or even calling for any, are an “administrative offense”, which can “result in punishment up to and including administrative arrest”, it said.
According to videos and photos on social networks, people in other Russian cities are paying their respects to Navalny after news of his death spread.
Some posts suggest crowds have gathered to protest in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, which has a fractious relationship with Russia and is home to widespread anti-Putin sentiment.
Source : Sky News
