Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, aged 47, has reportedly passed away while in custody on Friday, within the confines of the penal colony located north of the Arctic Circle in Kharp, famously dubbed the “Polar Wolf.” Prison authorities reported that Navalny collapsed and subsequently lost consciousness.
Navalny stood as one of the foremost challengers to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime. He vehemently accused Putin of corruption, directing his criticism not only towards the President but also towards the affluent elite of the nation, decrying their opulent lifestyles amidst the suffering of the populace.
Michael Carpenter, the US Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, decried Navalny’s treatment, highlighting his recent placement in solitary confinement for an astonishing 27th time. Carpenter emphasized Navalny’s plight, with the activist having already endured 293 days of such punishment, calling for his immediate release under the hashtag #FreeNavalny.
A statement from the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District detailed Navalny’s deterioration, citing that he fell ill following a walk and subsequently lost consciousness. Despite the implementation of all necessary resuscitation measures, Navalny’s condition did not improve, with medical professionals declaring his passing while en route to the hospital.
Supporters of Navalny have alleged foul play, suggesting that he was murdered while in confinement. Leonid Volkov, an aide to Navalny, expressed skepticism over the official statement, stating, “Russian authorities publish a confession that they killed Alexei Navalny in prison. We do not have any way to confirm it or to prove this isn’t true.”
In 2021, President Joe Biden remarked that Navalny’s demise would have dire consequences for Russia, potentially eroding the government’s credibility in the eyes of its citizens.
Navalny had previously survived a suspected poisoning attempt in 2020, orchestrated while he was incarcerated under Kremlin supervision. Seeking medical treatment in Germany, it was revealed that he had been exposed to a nerve agent. Despite the perilous circumstances, Navalny bravely returned to Russia in 2021.
During a 2011 interview with Reuters, Navalny was asked whether he feared challenging Putin and the Kremlin. In response, he defiantly stated, “That’s the difference between me and you: you are afraid and I am not afraid. I realize there is danger, but why should I be afraid?”
