Russian opposition leader and Putin critic Alexei Navalny dies after serving 19 years in prison

MOSCOW: Russian opposition leader and critic of President Vladimir Putin, Alexei Navalny died. Alexey, who was serving a 19-year sentence, died in prison. The news of the death was released by the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia. Alexey fell unconscious while walking and was rushed to the hospital, but his life could not be saved. The cause of death is unclear.

Alexei Navalny was a political opponent of Vladimir Putin. He was arrested in February 2021. Navalny, who led the anti-corruption campaign, was described by the Wall Street Journal as 'the man Putin fears most'. The organizations founded by Alexei Navalny while in prison were banned on the grounds that they were carrying out terrorist activities.

Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) and Citizens Rights Protection Foundation have been declared as terrorist organizations. Organizations and allies are also barred from contesting elections for the next five years. There were earlier indications that the court would support President Vladimir Putin's efforts to remove Navalny from mainstream politics. A case has also been filed against Navalny's lawyer for allegedly leaking the secrets of the investigative team before the trial. Alexei Navalny was in a coma for weeks after being poisoned during a flight from Siberia to Moscow in August 2020.

Later, when he came to Moscow, he was arrested for violating his parole and imprisoned for three years. Meanwhile, Navalny's health was deteriorating after he was on hunger strike in prison. After doctors announced that Navalny's condition was deteriorating, there were large-scale protests against Putin's government.