Alexei Navalny, the prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin known for his staunch stance against corruption and his leadership in organizing significant anti-Kremlin demonstrations, has reportedly passed away at the age of 47 while in prison, according to Russia's prison agency.

The Federal Prison Service released a statement indicating that Navalny fell ill following a walk on Friday and subsequently lost consciousness. Despite efforts by medical personnel who arrived on the scene, Navalny could not be revived.

On X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh expressed uncertainty regarding his death, stating that Navalny's team had yet to receive official confirmation. She mentioned that his lawyer was en route to the location where Navalny was being held.

Navalny had been serving a lengthy 19-year sentence on charges of extremism. In December, he was transferred from his previous prison in the Vladimir region to a high-security "special regime" penal colony located above the Arctic Circle. The decision to move Navalny to the town of Kharp, situated in the Yamalo-Nenets region approximately 1,900 kilometers northeast of Moscow, was met with criticism from his supporters, who viewed it as another attempt to silence him.

Kharp, known for its harsh and prolonged winters, is located near Vorkuta, a region historically associated with the Soviet gulag prison-camp system.

Navalny's imprisonment began in January 2021 upon his return to Moscow from Germany, where he had been receiving treatment after surviving a nerve agent poisoning that he attributed to the Kremlin. Prior to his arrest, Navalny was actively involved in anti-corruption efforts, organizing protests against the Russian government, and participating in electoral campaigns.

Throughout his time in custody, Navalny consistently rejected the legitimacy of the charges against him, asserting that they were politically motivated. His passing marks the culmination of a tumultuous period defined by his unwavering defiance against the Russian establishment.

Alexei Navalny, the prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin known for his staunch stance against corruption and his leadership in organizing significant anti-Kremlin demonstrations, has reportedly passed away at the age of 47 while in prison, according to Russia's prison agency.

The Federal Prison Service released a statement indicating that Navalny fell ill following a walk on Friday and subsequently lost consciousness. Despite efforts by medical personnel who arrived on the scene, Navalny could not be revived.

On X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh expressed uncertainty regarding his death, stating that Navalny's team had yet to receive official confirmation. She mentioned that his lawyer was en route to the location where Navalny was being held.

Navalny had been serving a lengthy 19-year sentence on charges of extremism. In December, he was transferred from his previous prison in the Vladimir region to a high-security "special regime" penal colony located above the Arctic Circle. The decision to move Navalny to the town of Kharp, situated in the Yamalo-Nenets region approximately 1,900 kilometers northeast of Moscow, was met with criticism from his supporters, who viewed it as another attempt to silence him.

Kharp, known for its harsh and prolonged winters, is located near Vorkuta, a region historically associated with the Soviet gulag prison-camp system.

Navalny's imprisonment began in January 2021 upon his return to Moscow from Germany, where he had been receiving treatment after surviving a nerve agent poisoning that he attributed to the Kremlin. Prior to his arrest, Navalny was actively involved in anti-corruption efforts, organizing protests against the Russian government, and participating in electoral campaigns.

Throughout his time in custody, Navalny consistently rejected the legitimacy of the charges against him, asserting that they were politically motivated. His passing marks the culmination of a tumultuous period defined by his unwavering defiance against the Russian establishment.