Russian opposition leader and Putin critic Alexei Navalny dies in prison

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has died in prison, the country's prison service announced on Friday, marking the end of a years-long struggle against official corruption and President Vladimir Putin's government. Navalny, who survived several poisoning attempts, was 47 years old.

Navalny was poisoned with a military nerve agent during a business trip in Russia in 2020—a deliberate attack he directly attributed to Putin. Despite the assassination attempt, he continued his activism, which eventually led to his imprisonment as Putin intensified his grip on power amidst the conflict in Ukraine. His demise, just ahead of another orchestrated election victory for Putin in March, has drawn condemnation from the West.

At the time of his death, Navalny was serving a combined 30 ½-year jail sentence and was reported to have felt unwell after a walk in penal colony No. 3. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, Navalny could not be revived.

The exact cause of Navalny's death remains unclear, with an investigation underway by the region's investigative committee. His allies have long raised concerns about his health and the harsh conditions in which he was held, including days spent in cramped "punishment cells" for minor infractions.

Putin, who has consistently denied involvement in Navalny's poisoning, has been informed of the situation according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. The Kremlin has historically downplayed Navalny's significance in Russian public life, often refusing to mention him by name.

In response to Navalny's death, reactions from Western leaders have been swift and critical of Putin's regime. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the event as highlighting the "weakness and rot" within Putin's system, while NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that Russia must be held accountable.

Navalny's passing leaves Russia's opposition without a clear leader, as many of Putin's prominent critics are either deceased, imprisoned, or in exile. Despite the challenges he faced, Navalny remained a formidable opponent to the Kremlin, leading nationwide protests and exposing corruption among Russia's elite.

Born in 1976, Navalny began his activism in 2008, founding the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) and gaining popularity for his oratory skills and online presence. His investigations into Russian officials' extravagant lifestyles and government corruption sparked mass protests and public outrage.

Navalny's attempt to challenge Putin in the 2018 presidential election was thwarted by a 2014 embezzlement conviction, which he claimed was fabricated to silence him politically. Despite surviving the 2020 poisoning, Navalny returned to Russia in 2021 and was promptly arrested, leading to further legal battles and imprisonment.

Throughout his incarceration, Navalny continued to defy the Kremlin, advocating for political change and exposing government injustices. Despite his imprisonment, he remained a symbol of resistance, earning international recognition and support as a prisoner of conscience.