Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny breaks silence after disappearance

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has issued his first statement after going missing for nearly three weeks.

Mr Navalny disappeared shortly after Vladimir Putin announced his intention to run for a fifth presidential term in early December. On Christmas Day his lawyers said they had tracked him down to one of Russia’s toughest prisons.

On Tuesday the jailed critic issued a statement on X, formerly Twitter, discussing the details of the past few weeks, during which many feared for his life.

Describing himself as the new Santa Claus, Mr Navalny said he was very surprised...