Why Russia Killed Navalny
AtlanticFeb 16
Russian Opposition Leader Navalny Dies in Prison
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The Facts
Prominent Kremlin critic and opposition leader Alexei Navalny died Friday at age 47 in a high-security prison above the Arctic Circle, where he was serving a 19-year sentence on charges of fraud and extremism. The Yamalo-Nenets branch of the Federal Penitentiary Service confirmed the death.
Navalny allegedly felt unwell after a walk in penal colony No. 3 in the Yamalo-Nenets region, losing consciousness almost immediately. According to penitentiary authorities, medics promptly arrived to revive him but failed.
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
Even if it's true that Navalny died from natural causes, Putin and the Kremlin are responsible for his death because Navalny was isolated in the Arctic Circle despite being in ill health for months. After giving his life to prove that civic courage is an ideal worth pursuing, Navalny is a hero and a symbol for his countrymen in their battle against Putin's dictatorship.
Pro-Russia narrative
Navalny's sudden death has come as a shock to everyone, and it seems that unfounded Western allegations against the Kremlin for this incident were prepared long ago. Given their uninspired reaction to the torture and death of US citizen and journalist Gonzalo Lira in a Ukrainian prison, the media should show more restraint and wait for the official results of medical examinations.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that Putin will cease to hold the office of President of Russia by Jan. 3, 2029, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
