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NEW DELHI: Russian opposition leader and President Putin’s critic, Alexei Navalny died at the Arctic prison colony on Friday where he was serving a 19-year-term.
In a statement, the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District said that Navalny “felt unwell” after a walk on Friday, and “almost immediately lost consciousness”.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Russia’s penitentiary service was making all checks regarding the death of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny, but that he had no information about the matter.Kremlin spokesman also said that Russian president Vladimir Putin was informed about Navalny’s death.
Navalny’s press secretary Kira Yarmysh said his team had not been informed of his death.
“Alexei’s lawyer is now flying to Kharp,” where his prison colony is, she said in a post on social media.
Navalny’s mother refuted the reports which claimed her son’s death. “I don’t want to hear any condolences,” she said. She further added that she saw Navalny in prison on February 12 and he was alive, healthy and happy.
Meanwhile, Russia’s investigative committee said that it has launched a procedural probe into the death.
Navalny, 47, a former lawyer who rose to prominence more than a decade ago by lampooning Putin’s elite and voicing allegations of vast corruption, is currently in a jail about 60 km (40 miles) north of the Arctic Circle.
Navalny was first jailed after surviving an attempt to assassinate him by poisoning.
A court extended his sentence to 19 years on extremism charges, and ruled that he be moved to a more secure, harsher prison.
Actively seeking confirmation of death: White House
National Security Advisor of the United States said that if confirmed, Navalny’s death is a terrible tragedy. He further said that US is actively seeking confirmation of Navalny’s death.
Navalny killed by Putin’s regime: Zelenskyy
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that it was “obvious” that Alexei Navalny was killed by the regime of President Vladimir Putin, who must be held to account over his death.
“Obviously he was killed by Putin. Like thousands of others who have been tortured,” said Zelenskyy, adding that this demonstrates why Putin must be made to “lose everything and held accountable for his actions”.
‘Russia has serious questions to answer’
Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said that he was deeply saddened and disturbed by the reports on the death of Alexei Navalny. He said said that Russia needs to answer all the serious questions about the circumstances of Navalny’s death and establish all the facts.
“We need to establish all the facts, and Russia needs to answer all the serious questions about the circumstances of his death,” Stoltenberg said.
Navalny demonstrated incredible courage throughout his life: UK PM Rishi Sunak
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on news of Alexei Navalny’s death was terrible, and paid tribute to the Russian opposition leader.
“This is terrible news. As the fiercest advocate for Russian democracy, Alexei Navalny demonstrated incredible courage throughout his life,” Sunak said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
In a statement, the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District said that Navalny “felt unwell” after a walk on Friday, and “almost immediately lost consciousness”.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Russia’s penitentiary service was making all checks regarding the death of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny, but that he had no information about the matter.Kremlin spokesman also said that Russian president Vladimir Putin was informed about Navalny’s death.
Navalny’s press secretary Kira Yarmysh said his team had not been informed of his death.
“Alexei’s lawyer is now flying to Kharp,” where his prison colony is, she said in a post on social media.
Navalny’s mother refuted the reports which claimed her son’s death. “I don’t want to hear any condolences,” she said. She further added that she saw Navalny in prison on February 12 and he was alive, healthy and happy.
Meanwhile, Russia’s investigative committee said that it has launched a procedural probe into the death.
Navalny, 47, a former lawyer who rose to prominence more than a decade ago by lampooning Putin’s elite and voicing allegations of vast corruption, is currently in a jail about 60 km (40 miles) north of the Arctic Circle.
Navalny was first jailed after surviving an attempt to assassinate him by poisoning.
A court extended his sentence to 19 years on extremism charges, and ruled that he be moved to a more secure, harsher prison.
Actively seeking confirmation of death: White House
National Security Advisor of the United States said that if confirmed, Navalny’s death is a terrible tragedy. He further said that US is actively seeking confirmation of Navalny’s death.
Navalny killed by Putin’s regime: Zelenskyy
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that it was “obvious” that Alexei Navalny was killed by the regime of President Vladimir Putin, who must be held to account over his death.
“Obviously he was killed by Putin. Like thousands of others who have been tortured,” said Zelenskyy, adding that this demonstrates why Putin must be made to “lose everything and held accountable for his actions”.
‘Russia has serious questions to answer’
Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said that he was deeply saddened and disturbed by the reports on the death of Alexei Navalny. He said said that Russia needs to answer all the serious questions about the circumstances of Navalny’s death and establish all the facts.
“We need to establish all the facts, and Russia needs to answer all the serious questions about the circumstances of his death,” Stoltenberg said.
Navalny demonstrated incredible courage throughout his life: UK PM Rishi Sunak
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on news of Alexei Navalny’s death was terrible, and paid tribute to the Russian opposition leader.
“This is terrible news. As the fiercest advocate for Russian democracy, Alexei Navalny demonstrated incredible courage throughout his life,” Sunak said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
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