Russian Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny passes away in prison

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny passed away on Friday at the Arctic prison colony where he was serving a 19-year sentence, as confirmed by Russia’s federal penitentiary service. Navalny lost consciousness after a walk, and despite immediate medical attention, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.

The prison service stated, “Navalny felt bad after a walk, almost immediately losing consciousness. Medical staff arrived immediately and an ambulance team was called.” The Investigative Committee of Russia has initiated an investigation into the circumstances of his death.

Navalny’s press secretary, Kira Yarmysh, mentioned that his team had not been informed of his death, and Navalny’s lawyer was en route to the prison colony for more information. Russian news agencies reported that President Vladimir Putin had been informed of Navalny’s demise.

A prominent opposition figure, Navalny garnered widespread support for his critiques of corruption in Putin’s Russia, with his YouTube exposes gaining millions of views. Despite Russia’s strict anti-protest laws, his revelations prompted large-scale demonstrations.

Navalny faced imprisonment in 2021 upon returning to Russia from Germany, where he was recovering from a poisoning attack with the nerve agent Novichok. He received a 19-year sentence in cases widely criticized by independent rights groups and the West as retaliation for his opposition to the Kremlin.

Transferred to a remote Arctic prison colony in northern Siberia last year, Navalny’s last post on his Telegram channel was a tribute to his wife, Yulia Navalnaya, shared on Valentine’s Day.