Russian Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny Dead At 47, Prison Service Says

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has died aged 47 at a prison colony above the Arctic Circle, Russian prison services said Friday.

Navalny allegedly felt unwell after a walk at some point on Friday, and subsequently lost consciousness, the Federal Penitentiary Service said, according to The Associated Press. His death is being investigated per standard prison procedure. His team publicly stated on Friday that they’ve no confirmation of Navalny’s death.

“Alexey’s lawyer is currently on his way to Kharp. As soon as we have some information, we will report on it,” Navalny spokesperson Kira Yarmysh said on Twitter. Navalny was in the midst of a 19-year prison sentence based on charges of corruption and extremism, and was suddenly moved from a prison outside of Moscow to the Arctic Circle penitentiary in December.