A Western official has confirmed that there were early talks regarding a potential prisoner exchange involving Russian critic Alexei Navalny, who died in Russian custody. A top Navalny aide claimed negotiations were in the final stage for a deal to free Navalny and two Americans in exchange for a Russian assassin held in Germany.
The Kremlin has categorically denied any connection with Navalny's death, calling the reports obnoxious and rejecting them outright. While the US and Russia have been discussing a possible prisoner swap, the Kremlin stated they were unaware of negotiations involving Navalny.
The prisoner swap discussions between the US and Russia have focused on the return of a Russian FSB assassin serving a life sentence in Germany for murdering a Chechen dissident, and US citizens held in American jails, including former US Marine Paul Whelan.
Navalny's team alleges that negotiations were at a final stage before Navalny's death, suggesting that the Kremlin may have orchestrated his death to derail the prisoner exchange talks. The Kremlin has vehemently denied these allegations.
This development adds a new layer to the ongoing saga surrounding the death of Alexei Navalny, raising questions about the potential political motivations behind his demise.
