Russian media outlets issued a press release about the death of Alexei Navalny, a leading figure in the anti-Kremlin opposition, merely two minutes after his official time of death. This timing discrepancy was highlighted by the Russian Telegram channel VChK-Ogpu, noting the suspiciously rapid reporting of Navalny’s demise.
Navalny, regarded as President Vladimir Putin’s most formidable opponent, reportedly fell ill and lost consciousness almost immediately during a walk in the penal colony where he was being held, as per an announcement by Russia’s prison department on Friday. This information was widely disseminated by independent media, sourcing their reports to the Directorate of the Prison Department in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, the location of the penal colony Navalny had been confined in.
The press release detailed, “On February 16, convict Navalny A.A. felt unwell after a walk and almost immediately lost consciousness. Medical staff at the penal colony promptly attended to him, and an ambulance was called to the scene.”
The statement concluded with an ongoing investigation into the cause of death but offered no further details.
Speculation regarding the Kremlin’s anticipation of Navalny’s death has surfaced following these events. Christo Grozev, lead investigative journalist at Bellingcat, an organization known for its investigations into Kremlin and Putin’s operations, stated bluntly today, “Navalny was ultimately killed by Putin today.”
Grozev also referenced the Telegram channel VChK-Ogpu’s findings, noting the press release announcing Navalny’s death was published just two minutes after the official time recorded for his passing.
This rapid sequence of events has intensified scrutiny over the circumstances surrounding Navalny’s death, with many questioning the Kremlin’s involvement and the integrity of the official narrative provided by Russian authorities.