Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.Photo:Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency/Getty
Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency/Getty
Russian opposition leaderAlexei Navalnyreportedly died at the age of 47 on Friday after taking a walk around an Arctic penal colony, according to a Russian prison service — though many are skeptical about the circumstances of his sudden death, including the U.S. government.
Navalny, a longtime critic and political opponent of Russian PresidentVladimir Putin, was serving a 19-year sentence on extremism charges that many viewed as politically motivated.
In a self-titled 2022 documentary, heleft a messagefor his supporters should he ever be murdered: “You’re not allowed to give up. If they decide to kill me, it means that we are incredibly strong.”
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny addresses supporters during an unauthorized anti-Putin rally on May 5, 2018, in Moscow.KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty
According toBBC News, Navalny was seen at a court hearing on Thursday via a video link, “looking well and laughing.”
Alexei Navalny.DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty
In a live-streamedspeech at the White Houseon Friday afternoon, PresidentJoe Bidencalled the reports of Navalny’s death “more proof of Putin’s brutality,” saying, “Make no mistake, Putin is responsible.”
Navalny’s mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, responded to the news saying, “I don’t want to hear any condolences. We saw him in prison on the 12th, in a meeting. He was alive, healthy and happy,” per BBC.
Navalny’s wife, Yulia Navalnaya, also delivered remarks at the Munich Security Conference after reports of his death circulated.
“If it’s true, I want Putin, his entourage, Putin’s friends and his government to know they will pay for what they have done to our country, to our family, and my husband," she said, perThe Hill.“And that day will come very soon.”
Navalnaya said she was unsure whether to trust news of her husband’s death because Putin and his government officials “always lie.”
Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny (R), his daughter Daria (2R), son Zakhar (2L) and wife Yulia (L) in 2019.VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP via Getty
VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP via Getty
Navalny’s team discovered that he was transferred to Yamalo-Nenets region prison service in December 2023, perThe Hill. Located in Siberia, it’s known to be among Russia’s most remote prisons.
Navalny, a former attorney, came into the public eye around 2010, earning a reputation as one of Putin’s loudest critics in Russia. In 2013, he ran to be the mayor of Moscow and secured almost a third of votes, a high number for someone opposing Putin and his regime.
In 2020, Navalny received medical treatment in Germany for “nerve agent poisoning” that he blamed on the Russian government, perABC News. He voluntarily returned to Russia and had been imprisoned on extremism charges since January 2021.
His death comes just a month before Russia’s presidential election, which is likely to secure Putinanother six years in office.
Flowers, candels and portraits of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny are seen in front of the Russian embassy, in Berlin, Germany, 16 February 2024.HANNIBAL HANSCHKE/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
HANNIBAL HANSCHKE/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
In hisfinal Instagram poston Wednesday, Navalny wrote a loving note to Navalnaya.
source: people.com
