An aid to late opposition leader Navalny claims prisoner-swap talks had been underway

Maria Pevchikh says Alexei Navalny was close to being freed at the time of his death. She claims there had been plans for him to be exchanged for a Russian hitman who is being held in a German jail. Talks were apparently in the final stages when he died. Pevchikh again accused President Vladimir Putin of being responsible for Navalny's death.

Russia opens new criminal case against Oleg Navalny

Authorities in Russia have opened a new criminal case against the brother of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Oleg Navalny was already on the wanted list for another matter. In 2014, Oleg Navalny was sentenced to 3 and a half years in prison for fraud in a case Kremlin critics said was trumped up. Now police say they have opened a new case but have not unveiled details of the charges.

Russia: Arrests made at vigils for Kremlin critic Navalny | DW News

Alexei Navalny's supporters who attended events held to commemorate his death were detained in dozens of Russian cities. Meanwhile, an independent news site claims the opposition leader's body showed signs of bruising.

Western officials and Kremlin critics blame Putin for Navalny's death in prison

US President Joe Biden said he was "outraged" at Navalny's reported death. He said that Putin was "responsible" for Navalny's death. "What has happened to Navalny is yet more proof of Putin Western officials and Kremlin critics blame Putin and his government for Navalny’s death in prison's brutality."

Russia's prisons fill with Navalny supporters after mass arrests | Focus on Europe

 

Moscow's jails are so overwhelmed by arrested Navalny supporters that they're running out of space for prisoners. Many are being transported to detention centers outside of the city.