Putin's fierce critic succumbs to consequences of 2020 poisoning

Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, a prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin and an anti-corruption activist, has passed away, according to the Federal Prison Service. Navalny, known for his unwavering commitment to political reform and transparency, gained international attention after being poisoned with a nerve agent in August 2020.

Despite the severity of the attack, Navalny recovered and later returned to Russia, only to be arrested and sentenced to prison. His death raises questions about the safety of political dissent in Russia and prompts renewed international condemnation.

 Alexei Navalny's demise follows a history of opposition to the Kremlin, marked by a poisoning incident in 2020 that drew comparisons to previous nerve agent attacks. The opposition leader fell critically ill during a flight and was later confirmed to have been poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent. The Russian government, led by Vladimir Putin, consistently denied involvement, while Navalny and his supporters insisted on Kremlin responsibility.

The poisoning prompted global outrage, resulting in sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States on entities linked to the attack. Navalny's return to Russia in 2021 led to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment, emphasizing the challenges faced by political dissidents in the country.