Alexei Navalny's cause of death - what we know as mum and lawyer speak out
Alexei Navalny was serving a three-decade term in jail when he suddenly died last week as prison bosses told his heartbroken mother he had passed away from "sudden death syndrome”.
The Russian activist, who was once Vladimir Putin's main political opponent, is said to have dropped ill after a walk. However, suspicion grew on whether the leader had something to do with his death as his enemies are often known to disappear, get locked up, or die.
Navalny's body was reportedly found covered in bruises which further sparked concerns on his actual cause of death. He died on Friday at Artic prison in Kharp, Russia.
Alexei Navalny pictured in 2017 (AFP via Getty Images)What have officials said?
The Federal Penitentiary Service of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District stated his death. A spokesperson said: "On Feb. 16, 2024, in penal colony number 3, convict Navalny A.A. felt unwell after a walk, almost immediately losing consciousness.
"The medical staff of the institution arrived immediately, and an ambulance team was called. All necessary resuscitation measures were carried out, which did not give positive results. Doctors of the ambulance stated the death of the convict. The causes of death are being established."
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
What conditions did medics find him in?
A paramedic revealed his ambulance colleagues noticed bruises on Navalny’s body, which was under police guard in the morgue at Salekhard clinical hospital. It comes after it was reported that his wounds were consistent with a “seizure”, according to Novaya Gazeta Europe.
The paramedic explained: "Such damage occurs from convulsions. The person is convulsing, they are trying to restrain him, but the convulsions can be very strong, and that’s why bruises appear.” There were also indications that staff had tried to resuscitate the activist due to there being signs of "chest compressions”. The paramedic added: “That is, they still tried to resuscitate him, and he died, most likely, from cardiac arrest. But why did this stop happening, no one is saying anything yet.”
What is sudden death syndrome?
Ivan Zhdanov, who directs Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, said on Saturday: "When Alexei's lawyer and mother arrived at the colony this morning, they were told that the cause of Navalny's death was sudden death syndrome."
Sudden death syndrome is a term for an umbrella of different cardiac syndromes that lead to sudden cardiac arrest and death. The patient usually has little to no warning of signs of illness.
Yulia Navalnaya believes her husband was poisoned (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)What has his mother said?
Navalyn's mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, explained that she saw him just days before his death and said he was "healthy". The mother was quoted by the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, for saying in a Facebook post on Friday: "I don't want to hear any condolences. We saw him in prison on the (Feb) 12, in a meeting. He was alive, healthy and happy."
What did Navalyn's representatives say?
Kira Yarmysh, who is the official representative for Navalny, cited a message from his mother on Twitter. She wrote: "Alexei Navalny was murdered. We demand that Alexei Navalny’s body be handed over to his family immediately.” Lyudmila and Yarmysh arrived on Saturday to find the Salekhard morgue was closed. Yarmysh said that when they called they were told his body was not there.
How has his widow responded to his death?
Alexei Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, has released a video statement about her husband's death. She believes he was poisoned with novichok and accused Russia of hiding his body until the last traces of the nerve agent disappeared from his system. She also said: "I want to live in a free Russia, I want to build a free Russia. I will continue the work of Alexei Navalny. Vladimir Putin killed my husband."
Where is the body now?
A UAZ van is suspected to have taken his body from the prison into hiding from his family. The van was seen in a convoy of prison vehicles and two highway patrol police cars. Yarmysh said: "Early in the morning, Alexei’s mother and lawyers arrived at the morgue. They are not allowed inside. One of the lawyers was pushed out. When asked whether Alexei’s body was there, the employees did not answer."
Local media said surveillance footage they obtained “confirms that Navalny’s body was deliberately hidden from his family." Outlet Mediazona said: “Together with thousands of Russians, the editors of Mediazona demand that the politician’s body be returned to his family.”
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