Russian prison service reports Alexei Navalny's death in a penal colony

Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service has reported the death of opposition politician Alexei Navalny in a penal colony in the settlement of Kharp in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District. According to the service, he felt unwell after a walk.

Navalny was serving a total of 19 years in prison on several criminal cases that he and his supporters considered politically motivated. At the end of 2023 he was moved to a special-regime colony above the Arctic Circle.

The politician's associates said they had received no confirmation from his lawyers. Navalny's wife Yulia Navalnaya, speaking at the Munich Security Conference, held Vladimir Putin responsible.

The leaders of the United States and several European countries blamed the Kremlin for his death. In Russian cities people are bringing flowers to memorials to victims of political repression.