interviews for reporters, doing interviews for mexico — reporters, doing interviews for mexico i— reporters, doing interviews for mexico. i covered him when he was facing _ mexico. i covered him when he was facing one — mexico. i covered him when he was facing one of its first prosecutions north-east — facing one of its first prosecutions north—east of moscow where he briefly— north—east of moscow where he briefly served as an adviser to the governor, — briefly served as an adviser to the governor, not even at a formal official, — governor, not even at a formal official, in— governor, not even at a formal official, in the case had been brought— official, in the case had been brought against him accusing him of embezzlement. very convoluted case, really _ embezzlement. very convoluted case, really very— embezzlement. very convoluted case, really very evident that in fact these — really very evident that in fact these charges were trumped up. he was convicted, sentenced to five years _ was convicted, sentenced to five years and — was convicted, sentenced to five years and then in what clearly was a political _ years and then in what clearly was a political trip, that sentence was put on — political trip, that sentence was put on appeal. there were giant protests — put on appeal. there were giant protests in moscow shortly after and he was _ protests in moscow shortly after and he was allowed to be free but he campaign — he was allowed to be free but he campaign for mayor in the mayoral election— campaign for mayor in the mayoral election that here in moscow but absolutely within an unfair landscape where he did not have any access _ landscape where he did not have any access to _ landscape where he did not have any access to television, media, an unfair— access to television, media, an unfair fight _ access to television, media, an unfairfight and access to television, media, an unfair fight and still scored 35, over— unfair fight and still scored 35,

over 30% _ unfair fight and still scored 35, over 30% in the polls there, quite a dramatic— over 30% in the polls there, quite a dramatic achievement for someone who was given— dramatic achievement for someone who was given no— dramatic achievement for someone who was given no chance compared to the krenitin's_ was given no chance compared to the kremlin's hand—picked candidate. he could have left russia, he decided to return to moscow. many people commenting on the bravery of deciding to return to this country where he knew the kremlin had their eye on him. where he knew the kremlin had their eye on him-— where he knew the kremlin had their eeonhim. , eye on him. even some supporters of navalny would _ eye on him. even some supporters of navalny would talk _ eye on him. even some supporters of navalny would talk about _ eye on him. even some supporters of navalny would talk about how - eye on him. even some supporters of navalny would talk about how brave l navalny would talk about how brave he was, _ navalny would talk about how brave he was, yet how senseless at times his bravery— he was, yet how senseless at times his bravery seem to be. there was no question— his bravery seem to be. there was no question that — his bravery seem to be. there was no question that in 2021 after recovering from this awful assassination attempt with the bank nerve _ assassination attempt with the bank nerve agent, there was no persuading him from _ nerve agent, there was no persuading him from returning to russia where he considered it his home. he knew

he considered it his home. he knew he would _ he considered it his home. he knew he would likely face arrest. at that point _ he would likely face arrest. at that point what — he would likely face arrest. at that point what he didn't quite grasp is that vladimir putin was preparing a war against that vladimir putin was preparing a waragainst ukraine and that vladimir putin was preparing a war against ukraine and for someone prepared _ war against ukraine and for someone prepared to _ war against ukraine and for someone prepared to invade a country of 40 million _ prepared to invade a country of 40 million people, to put thousands of civilians _ million people, to put thousands of civilians at — million people, to put thousands of civilians at risk, bomb their homes, what _ civilians at risk, bomb their homes, what is _ civilians at risk, bomb their homes, what is the — civilians at risk, bomb their homes, what is the fate of one guy? navalny arrived _ what is the fate of one guy? navalny arrived back— what is the fate of one guy? navalny arrived back in russia injanuary 2021— arrived back in russia injanuary 2021 into — arrived back in russia injanuary 2021 into an absurd situation where his flight— 2021 into an absurd situation where his flight was diverted from his plane _ his flight was diverted from his plane was supposed to land, thousands of his supporters to to greet— thousands of his supporters to to greet hinr. — thousands of his supporters to to greet him, the plane had to circle and circle — greet him, the plane had to circle and circle and eventually had to divert _ and circle and eventually had to divert to — and circle and eventually had to divert to an airport north of the citv~ _ divert to an airport north of the citv~ the — divert to an airport north of the city. the supporters were being kicked — city. the supporters were being kicked out — city. the supporters were being kicked out by the police into the freezing — kicked out by the police into the freezing cold weather.

where does this leave the already narrow space that existed in russia to freely criticise the kremlin and mr putin? . , , ., to freely criticise the kremlin and mr putin? , ., . , , mr putin? there has been no ability to freely criticise _ mr putin? there has been no ability to freely criticise the _ mr putin? there has been no ability to freely criticise the kremlin - mr putin? there has been no ability to freely criticise the kremlin for . to freely criticise the kremlin for quite some time.— to freely criticise the kremlin for quite some time. certainly not since the invasion — quite some time. certainly not since the invasion in _ quite some time. certainly not since the invasion in 2022. _ quite some time. certainly not since the invasion in 2022. we _ quite some time. certainly not since the invasion in 2022. we have - quite some time. certainly not since the invasion in 2022. we have seenl the invasion in 2022. we have seen so many— the invasion in 2022. we have seen so many people arrested for anti—war sentiments— so many people arrested for anti—war sentiments and even seen schoolchildren targeted for drawings that express a preference for peace. there _ that express a preference for peace. there is— that express a preference for peace. there is no— that express a preference for peace. there is no space. the political opposition— there is no space. the political opposition in russia is now exiled, jailed _ opposition in russia is now exiled, jailed or— opposition in russia is now exiled, jailed or dead. that is the sobering conclusion— jailed or dead. that is the sobering conclusion that one has to draw from this awful— conclusion that one has to draw from this awful development today. david, thank ou. this awful development today. david, thank you. thank _ this awful development today. david, thank you. thank you _ this awful development today. david, thank you. thank you very _ this awful development today. david, thank you. thank you very much - this awful development today. david, thank you. thank you very much for l thank you. thank you very much for sharing your insights and analysis on this developing story.

we have been getting more international reaction to the news of mr navalny�*s death. rishi sunak has described his death as terrible news, describing mr navalny as the fiercest advocates for russian democracy. the eu chief has called russia solely responsible for the death of mr navalny. we have also been hearing from the nato secretary general, jens stoltenberg. let's listen to his reaction. l general, jens stoltenberg. let's listen to his reaction.— general, jens stoltenberg. let's listen to his reaction. i am deeply saddened and _ listen to his reaction. i am deeply saddened and concerned - listen to his reaction. i am deeply saddened and concerned about i listen to his reaction. i am deeplyl saddened and concerned about the reports coming from russia that alexei navalny is dead. all the facts have to be established and russia has serious questions to answer. alexei navalny has been a strong voice for freedom, for democracy for many years, and nato

and nato allies have called for his immediate release for a long time. today my thoughts go to his family and his loved ones and we remain committed to support everyone that believes in democracy that alexei navalny has done for so many years. we don't have any information now. that is the reason why it is important to have all facts established. russia has some serious questions to answer. what we have seen is that russia has become a more and more authoritarian power that has used oppression against the opposition for many years. he was a

prisoner and that makes it extremely important that russia now answered all the questions that will be asked about the course of the death. irate about the course of the death. we are only weeks are gay —— away from the russian — are only weeks are gay —— away from the russian presidential election. could _ the russian presidential election. could there be a connection to his passing _ could there be a connection to his passing now? | could there be a connection to his passing now?— passing now? i will not speculate toda . i passing now? i will not speculate today- i will _ passing now? i will not speculate today. i will continue _ passing now? i will not speculate today. i will continue to - passing now? i will not speculate today. i will continue to call- passing now? i will not speculate today. i will continue to call on i today. i will continue to call on russia to make sure that all facts are established. that they answer all the questions that now will be asked and, based on that we will be able to say more. 0k, able to say more. ok, well, if you'rejustjoining us here on bbc news, a reminder of the breaking news we are on air with is the news that the prominent critic of the kremlin alexei navalny has

died. we have been getting a lot of reaction on that story. the russian prison service first issued news about the death. they said that he had fallen on well after a walk and almost immediately lost consciousness. the medical staff of the institution arrived immediately and an ambulance team was called. the emergency doctors then declared the prisoner dead. they say that the cause of death was being established. mr navalny�*s aides have accused the russian government of mr navalny. the eu chief has says said that the russian authorities are responsible for his death. lots of reaction coming in on that developing story. we can bring you some pictures that show mr navalny

yesterday in prison. he was being held in prison by the russian authorities until news came of his death. these pictures havejust come into us. you can see him just a day ago, before this news of his death was announced. we know that mr navalny�*s lawyers are flying to the prison to find out more information about what happens. we can see those pictures there, the latest images from the 15th of february. you can see him smiling, laughing, looking very cheerful a day before he died. let's speak now to doctor sir guy

markov, a close political ally of russia's president, vladimir putin. thank you forjoining us as this news has developed. what more can you tell us, what more do you know about the circumstances surrounding the death of alexei navalny? nothing, nothing. just as everybody. i knew him in the past, he was very bright, smart, good sense of humour. our young politician. the political tragedy was that navalny became our 100% american politician when america was becoming a main enemy of russia. this undermined his political career. his... his lawyers

have accused _ political career. his... his lawyers have accused the _ political career. his... his lawyers have accused the russian - political career. his... his lawyers - have accused the russian government of killing him. what you make of that accusation? his of killing him. what you make of that accusation?— that accusation? his lawyers are stuid. that accusation? his lawyers are stopid- the _ that accusation? his lawyers are stupid. the russian _ that accusation? his lawyers are stupid. the russian authorities. stupid. the russian authorities doesn't like the death of alexei navalny. it is disadvantageous for the russian authorities because russia will have fresh elections in a month. supposedly vladimir putin will win the first round of something like 75% of popular support. the news of the death of one of the antifa vladimir putin politicians is bad news for campaigning for the russian

presidential elections. if campaigning for the russian presidential elections.- campaigning for the russian presidential elections. if he wasn't killed by the _ presidential elections. if he wasn't killed by the russian _ presidential elections. if he wasn't killed by the russian government, j killed by the russian government, how did he die? he killed by the russian government, how did he die?— killed by the russian government, how did he die? he was quite healthy before. ithink_ how did he die? he was quite healthy before. i think it _ how did he die? he was quite healthy before. i think it was _ how did he die? he was quite healthy before. i think it was a _ how did he die? he was quite healthy before. i think it was a mistake - how did he die? he was quite healthy before. i think it was a mistake of- before. i think it was a mistake of the low level russian authorities. before moving him, he was very close to moscow. it is this stupidity of low—level authorities. it could happen. low-level authorities. it could ha en. ., low-level authorities. it could hauen. ., . , happen. you are saying it is the stuidi happen. you are saying it is the stopiditv of _ happen. you are saying it is the stupidity of low _ happen. you are saying it is the stupidity of low level _ stupidity of low level russian officials. ., ., stupidity of low level russian officials. . . , officials. what are you accusing them of doing? _ officials. what are you accusing them of doing? i _ officials. what are you accusing them of doing? i think - officials. what are you accusing

them of doing? i think that - officials. what are you accusing | them of doing? i think that they sent him from the region near moscow. before he stayed 100 kilometres from moscow. there he could have very good medical support and he could survive. but very close to the polar circle, the medicine is not so good as in moscow. i think it was the stupidity of the authorities.— was the stupidity of the authorities. ., ., authorities. the video of him yesterday — authorities. the video of him yesterday he _ authorities. the video of him yesterday he was _ authorities. the video of him yesterday he was smiling, i authorities. the video of him| yesterday he was smiling, he authorities. the video of him - yesterday he was smiling, he looked fit and healthy. it begs the question how could he suddenlyjust die a day later? in question how could he suddenly “ust are a day ratenfi die a day later? in russia, many --eole die a day later? in russia, many peeple believe _ die a day later? in russia, many people believe that _ die a day later? in russia, many people believe that alexey - die a day later? in russia, many people believe that alexey is - die a day later? in russia, many people believe that alexey is in | die a day later? in russia, many . people believe that alexey is in was killed by ukrainian authorities.

ukrainian authorities... they want to use the death of alexei navalny to use the death of alexei navalny to undermine the political authority of the leading authorities. i don't think so. i want to offer my condolences to the family of alexei navalny because i also met them. truth? navalny because i also met them. why was he and jill— navalny because i also met them. why was he and jill for the first place? his supporters say he was exercising —— exercising his free speech to highlight what he believed was corruption and he was thrown in jail. i put him injail in the first place? alexei navalny started his political career working for an american billionaire tycoon. then he

worked as an economic adviser of the russian government in the ukrainian capital region. it is clear that alexei navalny was corrupt. that is why he was put in prison. he was put in a prison very close to moscow. i think it made more sense to keep him there. now there will be no political consequences because his support is minimum because alexey lee valley supported the ukrainian into over the russian people. russia

now is fighting in ukraine and most russians believe that ukraine is part of russia. that is why there is no more support for alexei navalny. only from outside was he supported. there are many other people who say this was orchestrated by russia's president to benefit him in the selections, ratherthan president to benefit him in the selections, rather than the opposite which is what you are saying. it is which is what you are saying. it is a lie and which is what you are saying. lit 3 a lie and stupidity. it is now one month to the presidents election which vladimir putin will win. it is disadvantageous for the russian authorities this death of alexei navalny. authorities this death of alexei navaln . , . authorities this death of alexei navaln., . ._ authorities this death of alexei navaln. . ~ , navalny. germany's finance minister has said mr putin _

navalny. germany's finance minister has said mr putin tortured _ navalny. germany's finance minister has said mr putin tortured navalny . has said mr putin tortured navalny to death for fighting for a democratic russia. i want to get your response to that is because this isn't somebody close to mr navalny, this is someone from a government in the west, germany's finance minister, saying that. taste finance minister, saying that. we don't like finance minister, saying that. - don't like the german government because germany supports the undemocratic ukrainian regime. from the russian point of view, alexei navalny was not pro—democratic, he was pro—american first and he supported the fascist regime in ukraine. that is why there has been no support in russia in the last couple of years, probably about 200,000 people supporting. when he

was a candidate for moscow mayor, he got 25% but that was actual —— absolutely another time. at that time russians probably believe that alexei navalny would be at different version of vladimir putin, but he's supported the dictatorship in ukraine and he lost all of his political support inside russia. truth? political support inside russia. why are so many — political support inside russia. why are so many of— political support inside russia. why are so many of vladimir putin because �*s critics dead? a, are so many of vladimir putin because 's critics dead?- are so many of vladimir putin because 's critics dead? a lot of critics of vladimir _ because 's critics dead? a lot of critics of vladimir putin... - because 's critics dead? a lot of critics of vladimir putin... his i critics of vladimir putin... his opponents kill his enemies and blame

him on doing this. blaming vladimir putin of war crimes was one of the most politically used things. thank ou ve most politically used things. thank you very much _ most politically used things. thank you very much for _ most politically used things. thank you very much for sharing - most politically used things. thank you very much for sharing your - you very much for sharing your perspective and thoughts on this story. you are watching bbc news. we are getting reaction to that developing story as russia's prison service has reported the death of alexei navalny, a prominent and strident critic of the presidents, vladimir putin. we are getting a lot of reaction coming into us. jens stoltenberg has said that russia has serious questions to answer. he said he is deeply saddened and disturbed

by the reports that are coming in. rishi sunak has described the death as terrible news, adding that he was the fiercest advocate for russian democracy and he said that mr navalny demonstrated incredible courage throughout his life. we are getting more reaction and we will bring that to you throughout the morning. sorry, the afternoon. and joint now by a colleague from the bbc�*s russian service. what more have we heard from the kremlin about this? taste have we heard from the kremlin about this? ~ ,, ., . . this? we know that vladimir putin has been informed. _ this? we know that vladimir putin has been informed. when - this? we know that vladimir putin has been informed. when the - this? we know that vladimir putin l has been informed. when the news this? we know that vladimir putin - has been informed. when the news was announced he was meeting some workers in siberia, in one of the factories there. we are still waiting for some more detailed news to come from that meeting, but we

know that he has been informed. we also know that as you mentioned before lawyers of alexei navalny are on their way to prison. it is very farfrom on their way to prison. it is very far from moscow. on their way to prison. it is very farfrom moscow. a few on their way to prison. it is very far from moscow. a few months ago when mr navalny was held in a prison just a few hours away from moscow, but the prison he was then several large flights away from moscow so it will take awhile for his lawyers to visit that place. we saw him a few days ago had they look absolutely normal. he didn't have any complaints or anything. he was in good spirits. we didn't have any health complaints. yesterday a video was released, he was in another trial. new trials, new accusations

one after another had been brought up. just yesterday he was present, not in person, but via video link at another trial. not in person, but via video link at anothertrial. in not in person, but via video link at another trial. in that video once again he looks energetic, smiling, joking. i think this adds to all of those questions which already exist. before navalny�*s lawyers will be able to reach that's remote penal colony there will be more questions than answers. what access will they get when they get there? we have just heard from the russian news agency. they said that local net expense 30 minutes trying to resuscitate alexei navalny. i don't know what you make of that. more or less standard procedure. it was an ambulance that was called, from what we know. we don't really know what has happened. the only information we are getting now is from the

russian prison services. they say he felt unwell and an emergency ambulance was called and they were trying to resuscitate him. 30 minutes is quite a standard time, standard procedure, but we don't know what happened. what we do know is that in 2021 when he was poisoned allegedly with lover chuck, it was an ambulance talk to him might have saved him. the fact that he administered the right drug, which was the right thing to do, that give other doctors a chance to save him. overtly this time it does not seem to have happened. taste overtly this time it does not seem to have happened.— overtly this time it does not seem to have happened. we have “ust had a statement from — to have happened. we have “ust had a statement from the h to have happened. we have “ust had a statement from the white _ to have happened. we have just had a statement from the white house. - to have happened. we have just had a | statement from the white house. they say that his death is a terrible tragedy if confirmed. as we have been talking to many of our guest this morning. it was hardly possible for relations between the west and russia to get any worse, but this is

going to set them back even further. yes, i guess they are at the lowest point possible, definitely in modern history. itjust adds to the tension again, adds to misunderstanding but it also undermines the few remaining seeds of trust that were there, if any still existed. itjust seeds of trust that were there, if any still existed. it just adds seeds of trust that were there, if any still existed. itjust adds adds to pressure points, unpleasant topics that russia would not be happy to discuss. also of course it is a big challenge for russian opposition politicians, for all people who had to flee russia because of their fears, for all politicians and just ordinary political activists who have chosen to stay in russia. it is another

alarm call for them, showing how dangerous it is now to openly criticise the kremlin and openly criticise the kremlin and openly criticise the kremlin and openly criticise the kremlin's policies. taste criticise the kremlin's policies. we have been speaking to people about the timing of this is due to due to go to the polls. again, there have been questions about how free and fair elections would be. what do you make of the timing in relation to the fact that these elections are due. it the fact that these elections are due. ., , the fact that these elections are due. . , ., , ., due. it adds to the string of the revious due. it adds to the string of the previous events. _ due. it adds to the string of the previous events. it _ due. it adds to the string of the previous events. it is _ due. it adds to the string of the previous events. it is worth - previous events. it is worth mentioning that almost no one doubts that vladimir putin will get high figures and will win in the first round of elections. what is interesting is that during this election period at least two opposition figures try to apply to be allowed to run in the elections and both of them were denied, even

though they weren't prominent critics of the kremlin, there were barely known to the wider public. still despite that they got hundreds of thousands of people supporting them, they got the signatures needed, but both were banned from running. it shows how decrease the chances are for any opposition figures to run into selections. alexei navalny was moved from a penal colony near moscow which made communication with them way easier,, he managed to get out more messages to social media. that was very important, quite systematically he was delivering messages to his supporters. when he was moved to that furthest possible colony almost, of course less and less messages were delivered. we saw he

was gradually silenced more and more until unfortunately today he might have been silence completely. taste have been silence completely. we “ust have been silence completely. we just heard from a crusade to vladimir putin, almost blaming the russian lower—level officials to moving him from summer so far away. mr markov is famous for providing certain theories but not providing any facts to support them. he blamed local authorities for moving him, but i guess the fact that mr putin was so quickly informed about the death of navalny�*s death hence to you that navalny is notjust any other inmates. his actions. we don't have facts to prove that, but a lot of sources, within the payroll service, his lawyers were saying that the decision to move him must have been agreed at a very high

level, so i doubt that mr markov has said. filtrate level, so i doubt that mr markov has said. ~ ., level, so i doubt that mr markov has said. ~ . ., , _, said. we have more lines coming in from the united _ said. we have more lines coming in from the united states. _ said. we have more lines coming in from the united states. anthony i from the united states. anthony lincoln sang that if navalny�*s reported that is accurate, it only underscores russia's weakness. that coming in from the us secretary of state. he also says russia is responsible for this. those lines coming in from reuters. there is lots of reaction we have been getting. the spokesperson for the russian foreign ministry says our western allegations about the death of mr navalny are self revealing. in a statement on telegram she says the results of the forensic analysis of the course of the death of mr navalny are currently unavailable. she believes the west has already come to its conclusion. just briefly

before we hit the one o'clock hour here in the uk, in this video we are showing on screen now from the 15th, just a day ago, he looks healthy, fit, he is smiling, laughing. it is hard to think thatjust over night, unless he was suffering from some illness, he could just drop dead. riff illness, he could just drop dead. of course, his health was significantly affected by this poison attempts, but he seemed to be feeling well, thatis but he seemed to be feeling well, that is what is said to his lawyers a few days ago, so are lots of questions arise.— a few days ago, so are lots of questions arise. a few days ago, so are lots of ruestions arise. . ., , ._ questions arise. local, to stay with us. just questions arise. local, to stay with us- just to — questions arise. local, to stay with us- just to recap — questions arise. local, to stay with us. just to recap that _ questions arise. local, to stay with us. just to recap that the _ questions arise. local, to stay with us. just to recap that the jailed i us. just to recap that the jailed russian opposition politician alexei navalny is dead. that news coming in from the prison service in russia where he had been serving his sentence. mr navalny was an outspoken cricket —— critic of

vladimir putin. he had been in a russianjail since 2021. his vladimir putin. he had been in a russian jail since 2021. his lawyers have accused the russian government of killing him and the kremlin spokesperson said that russia's penitentiary service was making all checks regarding mr navalny�*s death. you are watching bbc news. to stay with us. live from london, this is bbc news. russia's prison service says the jailed opposition figure alexei navalny has died. he was a fierce critic of russian president vladimir putin. these pictures show him making a court appearance yesterday. we will bring you the full analysis and reaction. l we will bring you the full analysis and reaction-— we will bring you the full analysis and reaction. . , , and reaction. i am deeply saddened and reaction. i am deeply saddened and concerned _ and reaction. i am deeply saddened and concerned about _ and reaction. i am deeply saddened and concerned about reports. i and reaction. i am deeply saddened and concerned about reports. he i and reaction. i am deeply saddenedl and concerned about reports. he will robabl and concerned about reports. he will probably be — and concerned about reports. he will probably be remembered _ and concerned about reports. he will probably be remembered as - and concerned about reports. he will probably be remembered as a i and concerned about reports. he will probably be remembered as a best l probably be remembered as a best president— probably be remembered as a best president of russia that russia will never— president of russia that russia will

never have. welcome to bbc news as we continue our coverage of this developing story that is coming into us from russia, where the prison service has announced that the jailed kremlin critic alexei navalny has died. in a statement it said he felt unwell after a walk and almost immediately lost consciousness. the interfax news agency says medics spent more than half an hour trying to resuscitate him. in the last few moments that us secretary of state antony blinken has said that russia is responsible. the 47—year—old was serving a 19 yearjail term for offences widely considered to be politically motivated. in 2020 he was poisoned with that nerve agent novichok. i am joined was poisoned with that nerve agent novichok. iamjoined in was poisoned with that nerve agent novichok. i am joined in the studio by the bbc russian service. all go,

for people just