Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny dies at 47: Speculation of Kremlin's involvement rises

On Friday, February 16, the Federal Penitentiary Service Department of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug confirmed that Navalny had died in a penal colony in northern Russia.

"All necessary resuscitation efforts were performed, however, they did not yield a positive outcome", the department said in a statement quoted by "Kommersant". Additionally, reports from RT suggest that the opposition figure had a blood clot.

A commission was mobilized to investigate the situation at the penal colony where Navalny was incarcerated. The prison authorities insist that he had not raised any complaints about his health.

Various Russian newspapers report that Navalny's lawyer refrained from commenting on his client's death, stating this to be a family matter.

"The Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug announces the death of Alexei Navalny in IK-3. We are yet to confirm this information. Alexei's lawyer is currently en-route to Kharp. We will share more details as soon as they become available", wrote Kira Yarmysh, the opposition's press spokesperson. Russian authorities identify Yarmysh as a foreign agent in reports on platform X.

"Kommersant" gave details about Navalny's prison term for fraud in a penal colony with a tightened regime. According to them, Navalny was transferred later in 2023, and his lawyers subsequently lost communication with him. He was reportedly moved to a correctional colony often referred to as the "polar wolf".

The multifarious Russian opposition greatly admired Navalny for voluntarily returning to Russia from Germany in 2021. "He was receiving treatment in Germany following an alleged poisoning attempt with a paralyzing agent that was identified by Western laboratory tests," notes "Reuters."

The news outlet further stated that Navalny claimed he was poisoned in Siberia in August 2020, an allegation which the Kremlin has categorically denied, citing lack of evidence.

Navalny's death has drawn a wave of comments from European politicians. "Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny paid with his life for his resistance against the oppressive system," wrote French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne, who insists that his death is a stark reminder of the harsh reality of Putin's regime.

"The EU holds the Russian regime solely accountable for this tragic death," stated Charles Michel, President of the European Council. "My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and those fighting for democracy in the toughest conditions around the world. Fighters may die, but the fight for freedom never ends," he added.