Alexei Navalny, a prominent Russian opposition figure and fierce critic of the Kremlin, has passed away at the age of 47, according to the Russian prison service.
Navalny gained international attention in 2020 when he was poisoned with a nerve agent, an incident he attributed to Russian authorities.
Navalny's outspoken activism against corruption and the ruling United Russia party made him a constant thorn in President Vladimir Putin's side. Despite facing multiple arrests and legal challenges, Navalny remained a vocal advocate for political change in Russia.
After receiving treatment in Germany following the nerve agent attack, Navalny returned to Russia in 2021, only to be swiftly detained on charges he denounced as politically motivated. He had been incarcerated ever since, CNN reports, with protests occurring around the globe calling for his release.
The Russian prison service has launched an investigation into Navalny's "sudden death," while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that President Putin had been informed of the reports.
Navalny's spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh, stated that his lawyer is en route to Kharp, the location where Navalny had been detained since December. "As soon as we have any information, we will report it," Yarmysh assured on X.
Navalny's reported death comes amidst Russia's upcoming presidential election, scheduled for March 17, where Putin is expected to secure a fifth term, potentially extending his rule until 2030.
In August, Navalny was sentenced to 19 years in prison for charges including creating an extremist community and financing extremist activists, which he vehemently denied.
Prior to this, he was serving an 11-and-a-half-year sentence on fraud charges.
Concerns about Navalny's well-being had escalated in recent months after his legal team lost contact with him and he missed scheduled court hearings. His sudden disappearance prompted international scrutiny, with the White House expressing deep concerns. "Navalny has never been hidden for so long," Navalny’s team said in a Telegram post after reporting his "missing" for 17 days.
Navalny's eventual discovery in the IK-3 penal colony in Kharp - more than 1,000 miles away from his last known location.
"The conditions there are harsh, with a special regime in the permafrost zone. It is very difficult to get there, and there are no letter delivery systems," said Ivan Zhdanov, director of Navalny’s anti-corruption foundation.
