there's been wide reaction and fierce condemnation of the kremlin from world leaders. we should hold putin accountable for this and no—one should be in any doubt about the dreadful nature of putin's regime in russia after what has just happened. ..confirmed this would be a further sign of putin's brutality. hello, i'm matthew amroliwala. welcome to verified live, three hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them. hello and welcome to verified live — our programme today — dominated by that news from russia — that the jailed politcial activist, alexei navalny, has died. the putin critic — was being held in a penal colony, close to the arctic circle — serving a 19—year sentence for extremism and fraud charges — charges widely considered to be politically motivated. there's been an avalanche of international reaction.

the us vice—president, kamala harris saying, "russia is responsible for navalny�*s death". the uk prime minister said, it was "terrible news" and nato�*s secretary general says, "russia has serious questions to answer." in 2020 — navalny was poisoned with the nerve agent novichok — russia's fsb security service was blamed. today, russia's prison service said navalny felt "unwell after a walk and almost immediately lost consciousness". in a moment, our diplomatic correspondent, paul adams, looks back at his life. people have come out to lay flowers. they are turning up in the centre of

moscow. here are some live pictures from berlin where is being held he was held for a long time in germany after being poisoned with novichok. protests are taking place where people are gathering, silence and thought after this news reverberating around the globe. every capital we have seen reaction over the past few hours as they take in this news of the death of alexei navalny. we don't know many details, he's been held in this colony in the arctic circle which is geographically so farfrom arctic circle which is geographically so far from the capital that means the navalny team and family haven't even gotten their to actually see the latest detail

for themselves to know what has happened. in a moment, our diplomatic correspondent, paul adams, looks back at his life. but first, we've heard from alexei navalny�*s wife, who has been speaking in munich. take a listen. translation: thank you for the opportunity to talk- here on the main stage. i guess you have already seen the horrible news from russia. i was thinking for a long time about what i should od. whether i should stay here or go straight to see my children. but then i wondered what he would do if he was here. i'm sure he would have chosen to be here and come to this stage. i don't know whether i should believe this horrible news coming from russian state sources only. for many years, we all know that we

live under putin's government, they are always lying. but if it is true, i know that putin and all his allies, all his friends, all his government know that they would be held responsible for what they have done with our country, with my husband and with our people. and this day will come sooner than you think. i am asking all people here, all international communities to unite and help to punish this regime in russia. this regime and putin must be held responsible for all the horrible things he is doing to russia and to us over the past few years.

thank you. applause. extraordinary strength because

alexei navalny�*s wife was only hearing the details like everybody else in the moments, perhaps an hour or two, else in the moments, perhaps an hour ortwo, before else in the moments, perhaps an hour or two, before making that statement to those global leaders at the munich security conference. let's go to that security conference where we have been speaking to our correspondent. you have more reaction for us.— correspondent. you have more reaction for us. yes, you may hear the clatter— reaction for us. yes, you may hear the clatter of— reaction for us. yes, you may hear the clatter of a _ reaction for us. yes, you may hear the clatter of a helicopter - reaction for us. yes, you may hear the clatter of a helicopter which i reaction for us. yes, you may hear the clatter of a helicopter which is| the clatter of a helicopter which is the clatter of a helicopter which is the sign that kamala harris is about to leave the hotel. all the cars are waiting and armoured vehicles and guard standing by. we've beenjoined by the prime minister of estonia who has arrived in munich at a conference which was and still is focusing on russia's look full—scale invasion of ukraine, the war in gaza, the transatlantic partnership

and now the death of alexei navalny. thank you forjoining us. what's your reaction to the death of alexei navalny? your reaction to the death of alexei navaln ? �* , your reaction to the death of alexei navaln ? �*, , your reaction to the death of alexei navaln ? �*, ., navalny? putin's playbook has not chanced. navalny? putin's playbook has not changed- in _ navalny? putin's playbook has not changed. in the _ navalny? putin's playbook has not changed. in the past _ navalny? putin's playbook has not changed. in the past he _ navalny? putin's playbook has not changed. in the past he has - changed. in the past he has eliminated his political rivals and competitors, this is a long list and this is_ competitors, this is a long list and this is how— competitors, this is a long list and this is how they operate. we have to understand _ this is how they operate. we have to understand that this is the way he operates— understand that this is the way he operates and we have to continue setting _ operates and we have to continue setting up— operates and we have to continue setting up the special tribunal for prosecuting crimes that he has committed. prosecuting crimes that he has committed-— prosecuting crimes that he has committed. ~ ., ,, ., ., committed. when we talked to lord cameron, committed. when we talked to lord cameron. the _ committed. when we talked to lord cameron, the british _ committed. when we talked to lord cameron, the british foreign - cameron, the british foreign secretary, he said there should be consequences for putin. what more can the international community do? there are already many sanctions. two things, one is using the frozen

assets _ two things, one is using the frozen assets. we've been talking about this a _ assets. we've been talking about this a lot — assets. we've been talking about this a lot and we should continue to come _ this a lot and we should continue to come up _ this a lot and we should continue to come up with a solution. in austin estonia _ come up with a solution. in austin estonia we — come up with a solution. in austin estonia we have only done so and presented — estonia we have only done so and presented to parliament doing this, our claim _ presented to parliament doing this, our claim of ukraine regarding the war damages towards russia and russia's— war damages towards russia and russia's claim regarding present assets — russia's claim regarding present assets. we make a of those claims so we don't _ assets. we make a of those claims so we don't have to use our taxpayers' money— we don't have to use our taxpayers' money to— we don't have to use our taxpayers' money to pay for the reparation of ukraine _ money to pay for the reparation of ukraine. and this is something he is afraid _ ukraine. and this is something he is afraid of _ ukraine. and this is something he is afraid of. another is setting up a tribunal— afraid of. another is setting up a tribunal for— afraid of. another is setting up a tribunal for the accountability not only for— tribunal for the accountability not only for war crimes but for the crime — only for war crimes but for the crime of— only for war crimes but for the crime of aggression. if the leadership crime to attack another country— leadership crime to attack another country and cannot go unpunished. throughout— country and cannot go unpunished. throughout this leadership crime,

there _ throughout this leadership crime, there wouldn't be war crimes either. you're _ there wouldn't be war crimes either. you're one _ there wouldn't be war crimes either. you're one of— there wouldn't be war crimes either. you're one of the loudest voices calling for justice along you're one of the loudest voices calling forjustice along your own borders because of the risk that president putin could look further. this is not surprising. this is the playbook— this is not surprising. this is the playbook of— this is not surprising. this is the playbook of putin and the kremlin and has _ playbook of putin and the kremlin and has been for years. it is not a surprise _ and has been for years. it is not a surprise to— and has been for years. it is not a surprise to us _ and has been for years. it is not a surprise to us and in nato we consider— surprise to us and in nato we consider russia as the most direct threat _ consider russia as the most direct threat and — consider russia as the most direct threat and we work in order to boost our own— threat and we work in order to boost our own defence. all countries in nato _ our own defence. all countries in nato should invest at least 2% in defence — nato should invest at least 2% in defence so together we are stronger. and putin _ defence so together we are stronger. and putin doesn't make a wrong calculation that he can have a victory — calculation that he can have a victory if _ calculation that he can have a victory if he attacks nato. you arrived when _ victory if he attacks nato. you arrived when there _ victory if he attacks nato. ym. arrived when there was concern about arrived when there was concern about

a second trumpet presidency. how wide are you? —— worried? haste a second trumpet presidency. how wide are you? -- worried? we don't choose the — wide are you? -- worried? we don't choose the leaders _ wide are you? -- worried? we don't choose the leaders of _ wide are you? -- worried? we don't choose the leaders of our _ wide are you? -- worried? we don't choose the leaders of our allies, - wide are you? -- worried? we don't choose the leaders of our allies, is i choose the leaders of our allies, is democratic— choose the leaders of our allies, is democratic country and democracy works— democratic country and democracy works so— democratic country and democracy works so people get to choose their leaders _ works so people get to choose their leaders. we have to work with every leader— leaders. we have to work with every leader but _ leaders. we have to work with every leader but we also have to understand what you have to do ourselves — understand what you have to do ourselves and that is why we have been _ ourselves and that is why we have been advocates for more investments in defence _ been advocates for more investments in defence. find been advocates for more investments in defence. �* ., ,~' .., in defence. and when asked comment, i know ou in defence. and when asked comment, i know you follow _ in defence. and when asked comment, i know you follow closely _ in defence. and when asked comment, i know you follow closely what - i know you follow closely what happens inside russia as well. what you think will the impact of alexei navalny�*s death? he you think will the impact of alexei navalny's death?— navalny's death? he has been torturin: navalny's death? he has been torturing him _ navalny's death? he has been torturing him for— navalny's death? he has been torturing him for a _ navalny's death? he has been torturing him for a long - navalny's death? he has been torturing him for a long time | torturing him for a long time already— torturing him for a long time already so it's not surprising this is the _ already so it's not surprising this is the way— already so it's not surprising this is the way dictators work to

eliminate all competitors. but i think— eliminate all competitors. but i think there are other things we have two lookout. one is the growing discontent because young people are coming _ discontent because young people are coming back and the economy is not doing _ coming back and the economy is not doing well— coming back and the economy is not doing well so russia wants us to believe — doing well so russia wants us to believe otherwise but we should not fall into _ believe otherwise but we should not fall into their narratives. and this is all— fall into their narratives. and this is all going — fall into their narratives. and this is all going to have an effect. i think— is all going to have an effect. i think after— is all going to have an effect. i think after the so called elections that they— think after the so called elections that they are going to hold in march, — that they are going to hold in march, we are going to see some political— march, we are going to see some political decisions also in russia. thank— political decisions also in russia. thank you — political decisions also in russia. thank you very much. i know you have a busy schedule so thank you for joining us on your reflections on the death of alexei navalny. an extraordinary day in history, not what they are expecting here in munich. . ~ what they are expecting here in munich. ., ,, i. what they are expecting here in munich. . ~' ,, , what they are expecting here in munich. ., ,, i. , . munich. thank you very much, fascinating _ munich. thank you very much, fascinating to _ munich. thank you very much, fascinating to hear _ munich. thank you very much, fascinating to hear the - munich. thank you very much, l

fascinating to hear the thoughts. only a couple of days ago putin put her on his wanted list. very interesting to hear her comments. our diplomatic correspondent, paul adams, looks back at the life of alexei navalny. for 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 elections tainted by allegations of fraud. the demonstrations were the largest russia had seen for years. navalny was arrested, suddenly emerging as a significant opposition figure. his charismatic presence on the streets soon made him a regular target of the authorities. alexei navalny was a strong

nationalist, but also a fierce critic of russia's powerful elites. 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. translation: what we're seeing now is that the internet _ is the number—one concern for the current regime, and its number—one enemy, too. his revelations led to official harassment, his offices searched, he and his staff detained. in 2017, he was attacked with green dye, causing damage to his right eye. chanting the following year, he was barred from running for president, manhandled and arrested at a demonstration in moscow. and 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 the 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, and a country where opposition has been utterly stifled. paul adams with that report. a spokeswoman for his family have just said that his lawyer will go to

the colony early as the team tries to learn more details about the death of alexei navalny. the kremlin has been reported as saying the west�*s comments today on the death of alexei navalny and the finger—pointing that has more pointed at moscow and kremlin of vladimir putin are unacceptable. at the latest coming from the kremlin. and talk about the west reaction, let's see what antony blinken... he said he will be consulting other countries over the death. his death in a russian prison and the fixation. and fear of one man only underscores the weakness and rot at the heart of the system that putin has built. russia's responsible for this. we'll be talking to many

other countries concerned about alexei navalny, especially if these reports bear out to be true. the uk foreign secretary, lord cameron, says there should be consequences for russia following navalny's death. alexei navalny was an incredibly brave fighter against corruption, and he gave up everything in campaigning for what he believed in. and my heart goes out to his wife and to his family. and we should be clear about what has happened here. putin's russia imprisoned him, trumped up charges against him, poisoned him, sent him to a arctic penal colony, and now he's tragically died. and we should hold putin accountable for this.

and no one should be in any doubt about the dreadful nature of putin's regime in russia after what has just happened. john simpson is the bbc world affairs editor and met around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. voting has begun to select mark drakeford's successor as the leader of welsh labour, and the next first minister of wales. members of the welsh labour party and affiliated trade unions will choose between two current ministers, vaughan gething and jeremy miles. the ballot closes on the 14th march. it looks like uk high streets are bouncing back after record poor sales in december. official figures suggest that retail sales rose 3.4% last month. food sales at supermarkets rose strongly while department stores reported a positive impact from january sales. but inflation remained elevated

with people paying more for less. you're live with bbc news. prince harry has said his father's cancer diagnosis could lead to a reconciliation. the duke of sussex said he loved his family and he was grateful that he was able to spend time with king charles. prince harry refused to comment on the outlook of his father's health — saying he would keep that between them. he was giving an interview to the us breakfast show— good morning america— the first since he visited you're live with bbc news. returning to our main story, the death announced earlier of alexei navalny, the critic of putin held in jail for a navalny, the critic of putin held in jailfor a number of months. let's see live pictures in moscow. this is what we are seeing coming into the bbc and people are still arriving there with flowers and tributes to

taking a few thoughts. prosecutors brought you outline about protesting against the death of alexei navalny but certainly people continuing to come to the central square to mark that moment. they are leaving their tributes there. let's go to berlin now and see the pictures there. numbers are gathering there, germany where he was treated for so long after going into a coma after the another truck poisoning back in 2020 and eventually after recovering, that extraordinary moment where he decided, was determined, to return to russia given all the risks. those pictures from berlin and pictures from vilnius as well where there is a night—time bejewelled with people gathering their and we were watching

candles, flowers, tributes and people standing, pausing and thinking and taking in the events of the day. as promised... let's speak to nina khrushcheva, professor of international affairs at the new school in new york city. she is also the great—granddaughter of former leader of the soviet union nikita khrushchev. thank you so much once again afore talking to me here on our programme. your initial thoughts in terms of what we have seen today? thank you. it was a horrible _ what we have seen today? thank you. it was a horrible shock _ what we have seen today? thank you. it was a horrible shock and _ what we have seen today? thank you. it was a horrible shock and if - what we have seen today? thank you. it was a horrible shock and if you - it was a horrible shock and if you ask me six months ago, year ago, whether it would happen, i would have said yes but eventually this regime would have killed him. but at the same time, you say yes and hope it wouldn't happen because it's horrible. and those images of people gathering in moscow, is a tribute to the fact that even if putin tries to eliminate all the figures and even

the idea of the opposition, the idea of empathy and that human relations are possible and some other form of dealing with each other as possible, is a tribute to that. and it's heart—warming although i believe after what happened today, the government will crack down on any spares of something that resembles that position even more than they did before. �* ., ., that position even more than they did before-— did before. and we got a sense of that in the — did before. and we got a sense of that in the last _ did before. and we got a sense of that in the last hour— did before. and we got a sense of that in the last hour or _ did before. and we got a sense of that in the last hour or so, - did before. and we got a sense of| that in the last hour or so, warning people exactly what you just described. i don't want to spend a long time in this next question because over the years, we know what the answer is but what do you make of the various denials we have had so far from the kremlin? of the various denials we have had so farfrom the kremlin? the of the various denials we have had so far from the kremlin? the denial is that he was _ so far from the kremlin? the denial is that he was healthy, _ so far from the kremlin? the denial is that he was healthy, everyone . so far from the kremlin? the deniall is that he was healthy, everyone saw him five minutes before and

yesterday he was on video with the court and jokes and suddenly something happened. but all of this is once again... the russian state always denies everything. they even gave an announcement that the two minute resuscitation began and seven minutes ambulances came, and for half an hour they tried. they basically tried to say they did everything. but let's not forget for the past three years he has been essentially tortured. he was put in solitary confinement every month. he was punished for it but are not being buttoned up the right way and so on is and so forth. this was very cruel treatment and intense, at one point he was made to listen to putin's speeches and repeat. these are all things that basically can amount to torture. ultimately, as

strong as he was, his system would have given up. and of course the government is guilty of that. they will deny of course and say he was treated humanely and that's the problem of his health. but he was healthy until the poisoning and until he was imprisoned for three years being tortured. so it is ultimately although not a direct order to kill him, he was still killed and still died under that inhumane supervision. is killed and still died under that inhumane supervision.- killed and still died under that inhumane supervision. is also a heroic story _ inhumane supervision. is also a heroic story because _ inhumane supervision. is also a heroic story because it - inhumane supervision. is also a heroic story because it is - inhumane supervision. is also a heroic story because it is that i heroic story because it is that poisoning he was there in the west but decided to go back. it is poisoning he was there in the west but decided to go back.— poisoning he was there in the west but decided to go back. it is and he is in the patron _ but decided to go back. it is and he is in the patron of— but decided to go back. it is and he is in the patron of people _ but decided to go back. it is and he is in the patron of people who - but decided to go back. it is and he is in the patron of people who who | is in the patron of people who who protested the system knowing it

would eliminate them. another was gunned down in 2015, right next the kremlin. that's the most heartbreaking history of russia, before there was stalin and the sars. every time you speak against the state, you really know that 90% of the time you are going to pay for it with your life. so he is considered a hero in this regard, no doubt. �* considered a hero in this regard, no doubt. ~ .,, ., , doubt. and saying there has to be consequences. — doubt. and saying there has to be consequences, what _ doubt. and saying there has to be consequences, what sort - doubt. and saying there has to be consequences, what sort of - consequences, what sort of consequences, what sort of consequences given where we are in the last two years with the west dealing with russia? i the last two years with the west dealing with russia?— the last two years with the west dealing with russia? i don't know and it's a big _ dealing with russia? i don't know and it's a big question _ dealing with russia? i don't know and it's a big question because i dealing with russia? i don't know| and it's a big question because joe and it's a big question becausejoe biden in 2021 when he spoke to putin said if something happens to navalny there would be horrible consequences. since then there was a war in ukraine and there have been horrible consequences and blanket

sanctions, so what else can be done? i'm sure those people will be probably is sanctioned by the west but i don't know how much damage it can continue to inflict on russia. in fact, i think putin will welcome more pressure from the west because it will give him an excuse to say these are our enemies and they want us to fall down and be defeated. and so we are going to become more brutal in our defence against those enemies of which navalny is one. you're in america. in terms of the wider politics, we have seen republicans blocking aid to ukraine with so many people worried about that and the possibility of trump being re—elected, all helping russia win this war, is this a reminder do you think of what the west is

actually dealing with? i you think of what the west is actually dealing with? i don't know. there have — actually dealing with? i don't know. there have been _ actually dealing with? i don't know. there have been other... _ actually dealing with? i don't know. there have been other... navalny l actually dealing with? i don't know. | there have been other... navalny is a very important symbol and figure but i mentioned there is another opposition leader who is sitting in equally horrible conditions being punished in his health is not great. i really worry about him as well. but remember when donald trump was becoming president the first time, he said putin is killing people and trump said, we kill people too. sol don't know how much of a problem it is for the republicans, sadly not a problem for donald trump. sol is for the republicans, sadly not a problem for donald trump. so i think we do have to be very wary of this kind of development because whatever we are incensed about doesn't seem to incensed donald trump. returning

from holiday, i doubt but may be. thank you so much for your time. those thoughts and analysis, i'm just reading that we are expecting to get a joe biden statement in about 20 minutes. these pictures live from moscow when that statement comes in. we will carry alive. hello there. it's been feeling almost spring—like for this time in february. temperatures yesterday reach highs of 18 celsius in one or two spots across the country. today is also quite mild, maybe not quite as mild as yesterday. we should see more sunshine around, particularly across the south of the country. there's yesterday's very mild air moving on into the near continent. we're still in that mild air mass. some colder airjust looms to the far north of scotland and the northern isles on those northerly winds there, but elsewhere light winds for the rest of today, variable cloud, one or two spots of light, rain and drizzle in worthern and western areas. the best of the sunshine across southern britain. those temperatures up to 13 or 1a degrees in the warmest spots.

something a bit cooler there from the north—east of scotland — six to eight degrees. as we head through this evening and overnight, little change. it stays mostly dry. there will still be some thicker patches of cloud, some spots of light, rain and drizzle, particularly in northern and western areas. again, the odd clear spell. where we have the clearer skies across north—east scotland, it will turn quite chilly here, down to one to three degrees, but a milder night to come for most — up to ten degrees there for plymouth. as we start the weekend, well, we've got this ridge of high pressure which will bring a fine start to saturday, but weather fronts will be ganging up on us out west. that will bring some wetter and windy weather as we move through the day. so a lot of cloud around on saturday. again, this weak weather front ahead of the main weather fronts will bring some spots of light rain and drizzle to scotland, northern england. a little bit of brightness perhaps through the morning across eastern areas, but then the stronger winds, the rain push into northern ireland. that crosses the irish sea into western britain, certainly into western scotland. you could see some

heavier bursts there. again, very mild for the time of year — 12 to 1a degrees, despite all the cloud. as we head through saturday night, it looks like the wet and windy weather spreads across the country, but still a question on how quickly the weather fronts clear england and wales as we move through sunday. i think sunday starting off pretty wet. auite damp and breezy across large parts of england, wales, particularly east anglia and the south—east. we could see a bit of a hang back in north wales, north midlands, northern england, but that should tend to clear away towards the north sea later in the day. then we should see some sunshine around. certainly scotland, northern ireland fairing best with the drier and brighter weather on sunday. again, mild for the time of year. it stays mild into the start of next week, as well. there will be further rain at times, particularly towards the end of the week where it starts to windier and the temperatures will be coming down closer to the seasonal norm.