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 by the bbc russian service. all go, for peoplejustjoining by the bbc russian service. all go, for people justjoining the coverage, just tell us why mr navalny was such a thorn in vladimir putin's side. i navalny was such a thorn in vladimir putin's side-— putin's side. i guess alexei navalny is a most prominent, _ putin's side. i guess alexei navalny is a most prominent, the _ putin's side. i guess alexei navalny is a most prominent, the most - putin's side. i guess alexei navalny is a most prominent, the most well known and probably one of the brightest critics of vladimir putin and the kremlin in the past 15 years or 20 years. we have seen that one by one those people who dared to openly criticise the kremlin, to challenge the kremlin narrative by disappearing one by one, some killed, some ended up injail, some poisoned with unknown substances, some of them were even poisoned several times. alexei navalny�*s friend and ally was poisoned twice before he was put in prison and each time he decided to return. so alexei navalny with very bright politician,

very intelligent but also very talented in presenting himself. his youtube channel was incredibly popular, films and youtube videos he produced gathered millions and millions, certain videos got 20 or 30 million views. they were reaching audiences all over russia and he was inspiring people all over russia, india dozens of russian cities to join protests before the start of the invasion of ukraine. so before that he was inspiring protest over russia and this was a development that was very concerning for the kremlin and also very important to know that he was very appealing to the young audience. so i guess that might have concerned the kremlin very much because we know currently the call of duty and's supporters

are people in their 50s and 60s and on the contrary to that, supporters of mr navalny were 18, 1716 years old, incredibly popular among youngsters which is worrying for any politician because these are the people you want to target because they will stay with you and they are they will stay with you and they are the future of the country. for they will stay with you and they are the future of the country.— the future of the country. for the moment, thank _ the future of the country. for the moment, thank you _ the future of the country. for the moment, thank you very - the future of the country. for the moment, thank you very much. l the future of the country. for the l moment, thank you very much. we the future of the country. for the - moment, thank you very much. we will be back with you later. 0ur correspondent paul adams looks back at the life of alexei navalny. four years alexei navalny was a thorn in the side of the kremlin, a lawyer by training, he started out as an anti—corruption blogger. but he shot to prominence in 2011 during protests over parliamentary protests over pa rlia menta ry elections, protests over parliamentary elections, tainted by allegations of fraud. the demonstrations were the

largest russia had seen for years and navalny was arrested, suddenly emerging as a significant opposition figure. his charismatic presence on the street soon made him a regular target of the authorities. alexei navalny was a strong nationalist but also a fierce critic of russia's powerful elite. he developed a huge following on social media, publishing regular investigations into high—level corruption. his popular youtube channel with its slick videos was full of allegations against prominent figures. what slick videos was full of allegations against prominent figures. what we are seeinu against prominent figures. what we are seeing now _ against prominent figures. what we are seeing now is _ against prominent figures. what we are seeing now is the _ against prominent figures. what we are seeing now is the internet - against prominent figures. what we are seeing now is the internet isn'tl are seeing now is the internet isn't number one concern for the current regime and its number one enemy. his revelations led to official harassment, his offices search and his staff detain. he was attacked by green dye in 2017, causing damage to

his right eye. the following year he was barred from running for president. he was manhandled and arrested at a demonstration in moscow. in 2020, he was poisoned, falling ill on a flight from siberia. he was evacuated to germany for treatment. international chemical weapons experts found traces of that nerve agent novichok. navalny survived and accused vladimir putin of trying to have him killed. five months later, navalny returned to russia, only to be thrown injail once more. protests erupted across the country, fuelled in part by publication of yet another video, accusing russia's president of corruption. despite a hunger strike and international pressure, navalny remained behind bars, designated a terrorist and sentenced to long years in prison. alexei navalny leaves behind a wife,

daughter and son. in a country where opposition has been utterly stifled. paul adams looking back at the life of alexei navalny. in short time ago, kremlin spokesman was asked about mr navalny�*s debt and he told reporters he had no information but the prison authorities were in the process of determining the cause of the death. as of now, we know currently, in accordance with all existing rules, everyone is engaged in checks and qualifications. that is, there in checks and qualifications. that is. there is _ in checks and qualifications. that is, there is no _ in checks and qualifications. that is, there is no need _ in checks and qualifications. that is, there is no need for— in checks and qualifications. twat is, there is no need for special instructions because there is a certain set of rules that everyone is now following.— certain set of rules that everyone is now following. leaders around the world have been _ is now following. leaders around the world have been responding - is now following. leaders around the world have been responding to - is now following. leaders around the world have been responding to this l world have been responding to this news. let's have a listen to the reaction ofjens stoltenberg, mato's secretary general, was attending the munich security conference. i am deel munich security conference. i am deeply saddened _ munich security conference. i am deeply saddened and _ munich security conference. i am deeply saddened and concerned about the reports coming from russia that

alexei _ the reports coming from russia that alexei navalny is dead. all the facts _ alexei navalny is dead. all the facts have to be established and russia _ facts have to be established and russia has serious questions to answen — russia has serious questions to answer. alexei navalny has been a strong _ answer. alexei navalny has been a strong voice for freedom, for democracy for many years and nato allies— democracy for many years and nato allies have — democracy for many years and nato allies have called for his immediate release _ allies have called for his immediate release for— allies have called for his immediate release for a long time and today my thoughts _ release for a long time and today my thoughts go to his family and his loved _ thoughts go to his family and his loved ones and we remain committed to supporting everyone that believes in democracy and freedom, as alexei navalny— in democracy and freedom, as alexei navalny has — in democracy and freedom, as alexei navalny has done for so many years. mato's _ navalny has done for so many years. mato'sjens— navalny has done for so many years. mato's jens stoltenberg there. i am mato'sjens stoltenberg there. i am joined now by our russia editor steve rosenberg. we have been

getting a lot of reaction from around the world on this news. what is your take on what has happened? this is huge news, isn't it? all we have to go on at the moment is an official statement released by the russian prison service, according to which mr navalny fell ill after a walk inside the penal colony this morning, according to this version of events, and then lost consciousness soon after that. the russian prison service claims prison medical teams were called and an ambulance and attempts were made to try to revive him but those attempts failed. cause of death unknown. that is the official version of events according to the russian prison service. we know the russian president has been informed of this. we haven't had any comment from vladimir putin yet. mr navalny was a

huge critic of vladimir putin. the kremlin's most vocal critic. and backin kremlin's most vocal critic. and back in 2020 he accused the kremlin of trying to assassinate him with a chemical nerve agent in siberia. so he had been in prison here in russia since 2021 on numerous charges which were widely believed to be politically motivated. we were in court, if you can call the car, we went to his previous penal colony a few months ago —— but if you can call it court, where he was being charged on extremist charges. we watched a video link as he was convicted there. so this is a huge story here in russia. i convicted there. so this is a huge story here in russia.— convicted there. so this is a huge story here in russia. i have asked other commentators _ story here in russia. i have asked other commentators about - story here in russia. i have asked other commentators about this i story here in russia. i have asked . other commentators about this today throughout our coverage, but given that he was such a prominent critic of vladimir putin, was his death and

inevitability? i of vladimir putin, was his death and inevitability?— inevitability? i don't think you can say inevitability. _ inevitability? i don't think you can say inevitability. but _ inevitability? i don't think you can say inevitability. but of _ inevitability? i don't think you can say inevitability. but of course - inevitability? i don't think you can say inevitability. but of course he | say inevitability. but of course he had been concerned, his family, his aides had been concern, especially after he was transferred to one of the strictest penal colonies in the country, past the acting greek arctic circle, well out of view. so there had been concern, especially considering what had happened in 2020 when in siberia he was poisoned with a nerve agent, said to be novichok. so that concern had existed. he had appeared from prison by video link only yesterday and he looked, i don't know if you can say healthy, but he was cheerful and joking. so the news of his death does come as a shock. irate joking. so the news of his death does come as a shock.— does come as a shock. we have 'ust heard from — does come as a shock. we have 'ust heard from his �* does come as a shock. we have 'ust heard from his motheri does come as a shock. we have 'ust

heard from his mother who i does come as a shock. we have just heard from his mother who says, i l heard from his mother who says, i don't want to hear any condolences. we saw him in prison on the trot in february, he was alive, healthy and happy and we have been hearing from a lot of western leaders raising concerns over his death but russia's foreign ministry saying what they quote these western allegations are self revealing. i quote these western allegations are self revealing-— self revealing. i think those kind of comments, _ self revealing. i think those kind of comments, that _ self revealing. i think those kind of comments, that kind - self revealing. i think those kind of comments, that kind of - self revealing. i think those kind i of comments, that kind of reaction is to be expected because whenever russia is accused of something by the west, russia accuses the west. so i think that was to be expected. i think it is worth remembering that alexei navalny was not only the kremlin's most vocal critic, he was the only opposition leader in this country who a few years back was able to bring large numbers of people, large numbers of protesters,

including young people, onto the streets of russia across the country, street protests that he organised were quite large at times. and when he came back to russia in 2021 injanuary, and he was arrested on arrival in moscow, we sought large street protest again across the country, but since then the russia he returned to has changed. so many repressive laws have been passed by the authorities here to crackdown on dissent, to stop public protest, the silent protest and i wonder whether we will see them coming onto the street site. i doubt we will see large numbers. mani; we will see large numbers. many --eole we will see large numbers. many peeple have _ we will see large numbers. many people have highlighted - we will see large numbers. many people have highlighted mr navalny's people have highlighted mr navalny�*s bravery deciding to return to russia rather than staying away. he bravery deciding to return to russia rather than staying away.— rather than staying away. he was i think at heart _ rather than staying away. he was i think at heart a _ rather than staying away. he was i think at heart a politician. - rather than staying away. he was i think at heart a politician. i - rather than staying away. he was i think at heart a politician. i think. think at heart a politician. i think it probably came to the conclusion himself that if he wanted to

continue to be a politician and have a politicalfuture in russia, he believed his place was in russia. i didn't want to remain outside the country as a political emigre. so he was clearly taking a risk when you consider that in 2020 there was this attempt to poison him coming back to russia was a huge risk and he was arrested immediately on arrival in moscow airport and had been injail and prison since then. what moscow airport and had been in “ail and prison since themd and prison since then. what do you make u- and prison since then. what do you make up the _ and prison since then. what do you make up the timing _ and prison since then. what do you make up the timing of— and prison since then. what do you make up the timing of his - and prison since then. what do you make up the timing of his death, . make up the timing of his death, given that russia is due to hold elections this year? irate given that russia is due to hold elections this year?— given that russia is due to hold elections this year? we have to be careful, because _ elections this year? we have to be careful, because we _ elections this year? we have to be careful, because we only - elections this year? we have to be careful, because we only have - elections this year? we have to be careful, because we only have the | careful, because we only have the official statement from the russian prison service to go on which says cause of death unknown, an investigation is being carried out. you are right, russian elections just around the corner. you know,

alexei navalny is someone who had wanted to run for president last time around but was barred from the ballot and looking ahead to the next presidential election next month, most of vladimir putin's most prominent critics and potential challengers are either in exile or in prison. irate challengers are either in exile or in rison. ~ ., challengers are either in exile or in rison. ~ . , ., ., in prison. we have 'ust heard from alexei navalny's _ in prison. we have just heard from alexei navalny's spokesperson - in prison. we have just heard from| alexei navalny's spokesperson who said she would not comment on anything until we have confirmation. another urging of caution, as yourself were saying. i wanted to get one more final thought. relations between russia and the west were already pretty rock bottom, but where do you think this reported news leave things on that front? ., ., ,, ., front? you are right, rock bottom, and i front? you are right, rock bottom, and i can't — front? you are right, rock bottom, and i can't remember _ front? you are right, rock bottom, and i can't remember relations - and i can't remember relations between russia and the west being so bad. this will make them even worse,

of course. it will be interesting to see whether binding me to taint makes any comment later on today. he is previously avoided mentioning aleksei navalny's name —— whether vladimir putin makes any comment later today. the vladimir putin makes any comment later toda . ~ ., �* , vladimir putin makes any comment later toda . ~ . �*, , , later today. the ukraine's president has deplored _ later today. the ukraine's president has deplored the _ later today. the ukraine's president has deplored the death _ later today. the ukraine's president has deplored the death of— later today. the ukraine's president has deplored the death of alexei . has deplored the death of alexei navalny. he said, he was killed like thousands of others by putin. he was speaking at the munich conference with 0laf scholz, who also shed its reaction. with olaf scholz, who also shed its reaction. ., , ., reaction. ladies and gentlemen, before i talk _ reaction. ladies and gentlemen, before i talk about _ reaction. ladies and gentlemen, before i talk about our _ reaction. ladies and gentlemen, l before i talk about our cooperation between germany and ukraine, let me turn to a piece of news that has now reached us. it has not been conclusively confirmed but we must assume with a high degree of probability that it is true, namely that mr navalny has died in a

russian prison. it is something that is very depressing. i met mr navalny here in berlin when he was in germany trying to recover from the poisoning attack and i also spoke to him about the great courage it took to go back to the country. and he is probably now paid for his courage with the site. but we now if we didn't already know exactly what kind of regime this is. anyone who voices criticism, who stands up for democracy must fear for their safety and their lives and that is why we are all very depressed. we feel with the family, the wife and child in all the relatives and friends and this is terrible thing. also, as a sign of how russia has changed after the hopeful developments that unfortunately now feel a long time ago which were in the direction of democracy. this is no longer a democracy. this is no longer a democracy and has not been for a time now. ., democracy and has not been for a time nova—

time now. olaf scholz there. that forei . n time now. olaf scholz there. that foreign minister _ time now. olaf scholz there. that foreign minister for _ time now. olaf scholz there. that foreign minister for poland. - time now. olaf scholz there. that foreign minister for poland. over| foreign ministerfor poland. over the past hour he was speaking to our chief international correspondent at the munich security conference. mr; the munich security conference. my heart goes out to the navalny family and to— heart goes out to the navalny family and to all— heart goes out to the navalny family and to all those russian democrats for whom _ and to all those russian democrats for whom he was a hero. he is a victim _ for whom he was a hero. he is a victim of— for whom he was a hero. he is a victim of russian fascism. he will probably— victim of russian fascism. he will probably be remembered as the best president— probably be remembered as the best president of russia that russia will never_ president of russia that russia will never have. president of russia that russia will never have-— president of russia that russia will never have. ., . ., never have. some have commented it it wasn't a shock _ never have. some have commented it it wasn't a shock it _ never have. some have commented it it wasn't a shock it was _ never have. some have commented it it wasn't a shock it was just _ it wasn't a shock it was just a matter of time, he had been moved to very harsh conditions in the penal colony in the arctic circle. was that your worry as you watch from afar? ., , , that your worry as you watch from afar? . , , ., , ., , ., afar? putin has sent death squads to western eur0pe. _ afar? putin has sent death squads to western europe, navalny _ afar? putin has sent death squads to western europe, navalny challenged him, western europe, navalny challenged him. he _ western europe, navalny challenged him, he was beyond brave, not only in facing _ him, he was beyond brave, not only in facing up — him, he was beyond brave, not only in facing up to the russian dictator, _ in facing up to the russian dictator, but also in telling the russian — dictator, but also in telling the russian people what they perhaps didnt— russian people what they perhaps didn't want to hear, namely that the

invasion— didn't want to hear, namely that the invasion of— didn't want to hear, namely that the invasion of ukraine was a mistake, that russia — invasion of ukraine was a mistake, that russia needs to withdraw to the international border and a future democratic russia needs to pay reparations to ukraine. to say this to your— reparations to ukraine. to say this to your electorate, it takes real political — to your electorate, it takes real political courage. we to your electorate, it takes real political courage.— to your electorate, it takes real political courage. we are waiting for the russian _ political courage. we are waiting for the russian authorities - political courage. we are waiting for the russian authorities to - for the russian authorities to explain what happened. we have heard from the prison services. he went for a walk, he felt fine, he fell unconscious and then he died. in your mind, is there any doubt about what killed him? he your mind, is there any doubt about what killed him?— what killed him? he did nothing wron: , what killed him? he did nothing wrong. he _ what killed him? he did nothing wrong. he was _ what killed him? he did nothing wrong, he was imprisoned - what killed him? he did nothing wrong, he was imprisoned for i what killed him? he did nothing - wrong, he was imprisoned for fake, on fake _ wrong, he was imprisoned for fake, on fake charges and even if nobody pulled _ on fake charges and even if nobody pulled the — on fake charges and even if nobody pulled the trigger, we know it was a conditions _ pulled the trigger, we know it was a conditions that were created for him that killed _ conditions that were created for him that killed him and those conditions where _ that killed him and those conditions where the _ that killed him and those conditions where the responsibility of president vladimir putin. in your ve bus president vladimir putin. in your very busy schedule _ president vladimir putin. in your very busy schedule here, - president vladimir putin. in your very busy schedule here, you - president vladimir putin. in your l very busy schedule here, you were president vladimir putin. in your - very busy schedule here, you were to meet the wife of alexei navalny. why was it important for you to have

that on your agenda, now she is a widow? �* . ., , that on your agenda, now she is a widow? �* .. , ., ., widow? because we in poland were once dissident _ widow? because we in poland were once dissident and _ widow? because we in poland were once dissident and an _ widow? because we in poland were once dissident and an autocracy - widow? because we in poland were | once dissident and an autocracy and we needed — once dissident and an autocracy and we needed the solidarity of our friends — we needed the solidarity of our friends in — we needed the solidarity of our friends in the free world and we therefore — friends in the free world and we therefore feel solidarity for those who are — therefore feel solidarity for those who are battling for freedom and democracy in countries that are less fortunate _ democracy in countries that are less fortunate than ours now is. and it is particularly difficult to be a democrat in putin's russia. there are now— democrat in putin's russia. there are now more political prisoners in russia _ are now more political prisoners in russia and — are now more political prisoners in russia and around 3000 others, more than in _ russia and around 3000 others, more than in the _ russia and around 3000 others, more than in the soviet union. russia is now a _ than in the soviet union. russia is now a really— than in the soviet union. russia is now a really harsh dictatorship that is prosecuting a genocidal war in ukraine — is prosecuting a genocidal war in ukraine. , , . ., ukraine. this must create new concern for — ukraine. this must create new concern for people _ ukraine. this must create new concern for people like - ukraine. this must create new i concern for people like navalny, ukraine. this must create new - concern for people like navalny, who very bravely went back to push it

knowing they would face a fate as difficult as it is but hoping of course that they wouldn't have to pay the ultimate sacrifice. but course that they wouldn't have to pay the ultimate sacrifice.- pay the ultimate sacrifice. but he will one day _ pay the ultimate sacrifice. but he will one day be _ pay the ultimate sacrifice. but he will one day be in _ pay the ultimate sacrifice. but he will one day be in russian - pay the ultimate sacrifice. but he i will one day be in russian textbooks as a martyr— will one day be in russian textbooks as a martyr to democracy. how will one day be in russian textbooks as a martyr to democracy.— will one day be in russian textbooks as a martyr to democracy. how do you think it will affect — as a martyr to democracy. how do you think it will affect the discussions - think it will affect the discussions here already, the support for ukraine, the worry about the military situation there was dominating the agenda. this is concern on that front? brute dominating the agenda. this is concern on that front? we were here two ears concern on that front? we were here two years ago _ concern on that front? we were here two years ago when _ concern on that front? we were here two years ago when we _ concern on that front? we were here two years ago when we weren't - concern on that front? we were here two years ago when we weren't sure | two years ago when we weren't sure if president _ two years ago when we weren't sure if president zelensky would attend because _ if president zelensky would attend because the invasion was imminent and the _ because the invasion was imminent and the airspace over ukraine might have been— and the airspace over ukraine might have been closed. today the mood is also sombre — have been closed. today the mood is also sombre because we are at a tipping _ also sombre because we are at a tipping point, both in ukraine where their brave — tipping point, both in ukraine where their brave ukrainian army is outgunned eight to one, and in washington where the fate of the assistance package for ukraine is in the balance. died therefore a deal

to us _ the balance. died therefore a deal to us congressmen, particularly that speak— to us congressmen, particularly that speak at— to us congressmen, particularly that speak at mike johnson, to lead this bill go _ speak at mike johnson, to lead this bill go to— speak at mike johnson, to lead this bill go to the vote, let us help ukrainians who are resisting vladimir— ukrainians who are resisting vladimir putin who hasjust killed alexei _ vladimir putin who hasjust killed alexei navalny. vladimir putin who has 'ust killed alexei navalnyh vladimir putin who has 'ust killed alexei navaln . .,~ ., ., . h alexei navalny. speaking to poland's foreian alexei navalny. speaking to poland's foreign minister. _ alexei navalny. speaking to poland's foreign minister. luke _ alexei navalny. speaking to poland's foreign minister. luke harding - alexei navalny. speaking to poland's foreign minister. luke harding as . alexei navalny. speaking to poland's foreign minister. luke harding as a i foreign minister. luke harding as a foreign correspondent with the guardian, who spent a lot of time based in moscow. he has met alexei navalny. let's have a listen to some of my conversation with him. i navalny. let's have a listen to some of my conversation with him.- of my conversation with him. i met him in moscow— of my conversation with him. i met him in moscow more _ of my conversation with him. i met him in moscow more than - of my conversation with him. i met him in moscow more than a - of my conversation with him. i “net him in moscow more than a decade ago when he was a lawyer, a kind of tall, charismatic figure who was really destined for stardom. he was leading street protests against vladimir putin's regime and he was also really focusing on corruption.

we have had the war in ukraine for the past two years and the emphasis has been very much on russian aggression, international aggression, international aggression, but it was navalny who shone a light on murky places on the fact that there was huge corruption at the top of the kremlin, including vladimir putin himself. i think it is pretty clear that most people who knew him will conclude that he has been murdered in prison. that knew him will conclude that he has been murdered in prison.— been murdered in prison. that is our been murdered in prison. that is your assessment _ been murdered in prison. that is your assessment so _ been murdered in prison. that is your assessment so far. - been murdered in prison. that is| your assessment so far. certainly the feeling of his age there. you wrote once, you ask the question whether alexei navalny was russia plus my destiny or a tragic national footnote. in the end, he is now, as widely reported, he is no longer the face of that anti—corruption movement. was this always inevitable, given he was such a prominent critic of the kremlin? i

fear it probably was. bear in mind that the kremlin already tried to kill alexei navalny, that he collapsed when he was campaigning in southern russia, you remember the scenes of him being wheeled off a plane and flown to germany where miraculously he recovered. this was a plot, according to open source investigators belling kat and others carried out by the federal security service, the fsb, and which vladimir putin used a head before he became president. so it is clear he had powerful enemies, the striker tried to kill it before and what was interesting was there was a terrible personal choice for navalny after he was poisoned whether he would stay in exile and become a kind of critic based in europe are based in the us, or return. and of course he flew back to moscow, he was immediately arrested and then he was jailed with criminal cases piled upon him one on

top of another and from that point i think it was clear he was never going to get out of prison so long as vladimir putin was russian leader, was russian president. what is really interesting and terrible about his death as reported is it seems to come at a moment of weakness for the west, for america in particular, where there are rows in particular, where there are rows in the biden administration and congressional republicans over aid to ukraine, where there seems to be a paralysis and at this moment for whatever reason navalny has collapsed and died. brute whatever reason navalny has collapsed and died. we touched on this earlier. _ collapsed and died. we touched on this earlier, but _ collapsed and died. we touched on this earlier, but what _ collapsed and died. we touched on this earlier, but what do _ collapsed and died. we touched on this earlier, but what do you - collapsed and died. we touched on this earlier, but what do you make | this earlier, but what do you make of the timing of his death? $5 i this earlier, but what do you make of the timing of his death? as i was sa in: , of the timing of his death? as i was saying. russia _ of the timing of his death? as i was saying. russia is — of the timing of his death? as i was saying, russia is pressing _ of the timing of his death? as i was saying, russia is pressing forward l saying, russia is pressing forward on the battlefield in ukraine. it thinks it can win the war. it sees the struggle is notjust as a battle for ukraine, but a kind of broader

conflict with western nations, with western democracies, with the whole liberal system, western democracies, with the whole liberalsystem, if western democracies, with the whole liberal system, if you like, and it is clear that navalny has long been an irritant for vladimir putin. he has annoyed the authorities with his reporting and now you have to say he has been silence for good, and the problem the russian opposition faces is that navalny was a best know person, he was a figurehead, an inspirational leader for many of them and russia has become a totalitarian society where any kind of dissent is a crime, anyone can be arrested for no reason whatsoever, just because the authorities want to detain them. and i think for the russian opposition things are very bleak now. navalny has gone, there is no prospect of democratic russia, the kremlin is all—powerful and these are grim times indeed. the guardian's _ these are grim times indeed. the guardian's luke harding. there is

plenty of reaction coming into the news of alexei navalny's death and we have now had a statement from his mother. she says, i don't want to hear any condolences, apologies. that is something else. let's go to the statement from his mother who says, i don't want to hear any condolences stop we saw him in prison on the 12th of february. he was alive, healthy and happy. that is being reported by a newspaper in russia. there you can see that statement there coming in from her. we have had other statements from world leaders. rishi sunak has described the state navalny's death as terrible news, saying he was a fiercest advocate for russian democracy. jens stoltenberg said russia has serious questions to answer. the eu chief has called russia solely responsible for mistake navalny's death and we were

also hearing from the us secretary of state antony blinken. he said, we have had the reports from russia of alexei navalny's death. for more than a decade, russia's government and vladimir putin have persecuted, poisoned and imprisoned alexei navalny. no part of his death. first and foremost, antony blinken continue, if these reports are accurate our hearts go out to his wife and family. beyond that, is getting at russian prison and fixation and fear of one man only underscores a weakness and rot at the heart of the system that vladimir putin is built. he goes on to say, rush is responsible for this. we will be talking to many other countries about alexei navalny, especially if these reports bear out to be true —— mark russia is responsible for this. those comments coming to us from antony

blinken, the us secretary of state. we will keep across all of the reaction that we are getting in. we have also just had reaction from ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky, he was also in germany at the munich security conference. he placed the blame on the russian leader. brute placed the blame on the russian leader. ~ ., placed the blame on the russian leader. ~ . , ., ., leader. we have 'ust learned that alexei navalny — leader. we have just learned that alexei navalny has _ leader. we have just learned that alexei navalny has died - leader. we have just learned that alexei navalny has died in - leader. we have just learned that alexei navalny has died in a - leader. we have just learned that i alexei navalny has died in a russian prison. 0bviously, he was killed by putin. like thousands of others who have been tormented and tortured because of this one person. putin does not care who dies, as long as he retains his position, and that is why he must not keep anything. bluetit must lose everything. he must not retain anything. he must be held accountable for what he has done. you are watching bbc news. to stay with us. i'm joined now by olga from the bbc�*s russia service. we are still

digesting this news. let's go back to the beginning. we first got a statement from the prison where mr navalny was being held saying that he had been unwell and had died. t0 he had been unwelland had died. trr be precise, they said that he was on a walk, so he is allowed a walk once a walk, so he is allowed a walk once a day. they said that around 2pm local time, that is far away in siberia, he was on the walk and suddenly felt unwell and then an emergency ambulance was called in and he died. what surprises me is if you look at the timings it seems that it took this prison service just two hours for it all to happen, to put a statement together and put it out. it is incredibly fast for the russian penitentiary service. they haven't been seen doing anything so fast before. this one

thing that attracted my attention. as already everybody has pointed out, navalny's lawyers saw him two or three days ago and said he didn't have any health complaints, he was looking quite optimistic and energetic. yesterday, navalny was on trial via video link and that video was published today. 0nce trial via video link and that video was published today. once again, he looks well, isjoking, in a good mood. russian channel that according to their sources he might have had a blood clot. they put it to dance. the doctor that the bbc russian service has spoken to say this version may exist, but it is strange to put it out so early because to put out that version you would need

to carry