Image Credits - CNN
Renowned Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny died on Friday after collapsing and losing consciousness at the penal colony north of the Arctic Circle where he was serving a long jail term, as reported by the Russian prison service. Navalny, aged 47, gained widespread recognition over ten years ago for satirizing President Vladimir Putin and the Russian ruling class, whom he frequently criticized for extensive corruption, greed, and luxurious lifestyles.
According to a statement released on Friday and reported by state media, the federal prison service stated that Navalny “felt unwell” following a walk and quickly lost consciousness. The statement continued, indicating that medical personnel responded promptly, and an ambulance was summoned. Despite resuscitation efforts, Navalny’s condition did not improve. Paramedics later confirmed his passing. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of death.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that President Putin has been informed of Navalny’s demise. Putin, who is currently campaigning for reelection in a month, was depicted in a televised segment visiting a factory in the Urals region. Although supporters of Navalny expressed uncertainty about his death, they asserted that if confirmed, they suspect foul play in his demise.
Navalny’s attorney was en route to the “Polar Wolf” prison in Kharp, where Navalny passed away. State-run Russian television aired a press briefing held by the central bank. Dmitry Muratov, editor of a Russian newspaper and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, stated to Reuters on Friday that he considers the death of imprisoned opposition figure Alexei Navalny to be an act of “murder.” Muratov expressed his belief that Navalny’s harsh treatment while incarcerated ultimately resulted in his death.
Navalny garnered respect from various factions of Russia’s opposition for his decision to return to Russia in 2021 after receiving medical treatment in Germany. Western laboratory tests indicated that he had been targeted with a nerve agent, which he claimed occurred during a poisoning incident in Siberia in August 2020. Despite Navalny’s allegations, the Kremlin refuted any involvement in an assassination attempt and dismissed the notion of evidence suggesting the use of a nerve agent in his poisoning.
Navalny, a vocal adversary of Putin, has been detained since January 2021 following his return to Moscow from Germany, where he received treatment for nerve agent poisoning which he attributed to the Kremlin.
Before his arrest, he spearheaded initiatives targeting corruption and orchestrated significant anti-Kremlin demonstrations. Convicted on charges of extremism, his initial sentence was later extended to 19 years in 2023.
Before his arrest, he spearheaded initiatives targeting corruption and orchestrated significant anti-Kremlin demonstrations. Convicted on charges of extremism, his initial sentence was later extended to 19 years in 2023.
