Russia could face “devastating” consequences over Vladimir Putin’s fierce critic Alexei Navalny’s death in prison near to the Arctic Circle on Friday.
Many across Russia including Russian officials believed that Navalny was a threat to Putin and his leadership.
He was a political activist and conducted detailed investigations in high corruption, Navalny was also running for Mayor in Moscow which is what made him famous.
In June 2021 the US President Joe Biden warned Putin that if Navalny dies in prison the “consequences” will be “devastating for Russia,” however it was never made clear what America will do, if anything.
Fierce vocal critic of Putin, Alexei Navalny has died in a Russian penal colony
Biden and Putin met in Geneva on 16 June 2021, the US President said, “I made it clear to him that I believe the consequences of that would be devastating for Russia.”
Biden added, “What do you think happens when he’s saying it’s not about hurting Navalny, all the stuff he says to rationalise the treatment of Navalny, and then he dies in prison?… It’s about trust.
“It’s about their ability to influence other nations in a positive way.”
Biden continued, “I also told him that no president of the United States could keep faith with the American people if they did not speak out to defend out democratic values, to stand up for the universal and fundamental freedoms that all men and women have in our view.”
Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service said on Friday, that Navalny felt unwell after he went for a walk in the maximum security prison.
Navalny “lost consciousness almost immediately,” he then died not long afterwards.
The short statement said, “All necessary resuscitation measures were carried out but did not yield positive results.
“The paramedics confirmed the death of the convict.”
Putin said that Navalny had returned to Russia from Berlin to be detained by the Russian authorities as he knew he had broken the law.
Putin who refuses to say his name said at the time, “This man knew that he was breaking the law of Russia. He has been twice convicted.”
Navalny had broken the law by going to Berlin for treatment after he was poisoned with Novichok, therefore breaking his bail conditions for leaving Russia.
Putin added, “He consciously ignored the requirements of the law.
“The gentleman in question went abroad for treatment. As soon as he went to the hospital he showed his videos on the internet.
“He wanted consciously to break the law. He did exactly what he wanted to do. So what kind of discussion can we be having (about him)?”
