Alexie Navalny, a Russian politician who has consistently opposed Russian President Vladimir Putin, was found dead in a Russian prison.
“Navalny felt unwell after a walk, almost immediately losing consciousness,” said a spokesman for the Russian prison, “The facility’s medical workers immediately arrived at the scene and an emergency medical team was called in. All necessary resuscitation measures have been carried out, but they did not yield positive results.”
Resuscitation attempts failed and Navalny was pronounced dead.
Navalny was serving a 19-year prison sentence for extremism and has been a vocal critic of Putin’s government and the Ukraine war.
In December, Navalny was transferred to a penal colony in Northern Russia, above the Arctic Circle.
Navalny’s death has led many to believe that he was assassinated in prison by Putin, although Russian officials have denied the accusations.
In 2020, Navalny blamed Putin for an assassination attempt in which he was poisoned with a nerve agent.
Although the Russian government has claimed that Navalny died of natural causes, his relatives have testified to the good health of the 47-year-old just days before his death.
On Thursday, the day before his death, Navalny appeared in court via video call, where he can be seen, apparently physically well, and laughing during his testimony.
Western leaders were quick to accuse Russia of assassinating Navalny, but Russia has urged restraint.
Leaders should “show restraint and wait for the official results of the forensic examination,” said the Russian Foreign Ministry.
President Joe Biden quickly used Navalny’s death as ammo to call for more funding for Ukraine, as many Americans have soured on the prospect of giving billions of dollars to foreign nations.
“We had to provide the funding so Ukraine can keep defending itself against Putin’s vicious onslaughts,” said President Biden.
Funny how the same thing happened to Epstein. Of course we’re the good guys!. We arrest politically disagreeable people with swat teams in the middle of the night and then drag them through financial ruin due to court cost. It does send a message to others. I suppose we should be happy that we have yet to reach the point of just executing political opponents. We somehow, despite all the government corruption, still adhere to our incredible Constitution although the Democrats are constantly seeking to redefine its intent.