Want to know how Russian state media are spinning Navalny's death? Then click here
Today's coverage was brought to you by Alex Therrien, Tarik Habte, Marita Moloney, Maria Zaccaro and Ruth Comerford. Thanks for joining us.
Thanks for joining us
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
It's 21:00 in Moscow and 18:00 here in London, where we've been reporting on the death of Russian activist and Vladimir Putin critic Alexei Navalny.
We're going to wrap up our live coverage now, but before we go, here's what happened today:
Alexei Navalny's team believe the 47-year-old, who died yesterday after being held in an Arctic Circle jail, was murdered and that the killing was ordered by President Vladimir Putin
Navalny's spokeswoman says his body is purposely being withheld by the Russian authorities so they can "cover traces"
Kira Yarmysh also said Navalny's mother and lawyer had travelled to the morgue where officials said his body was being kept, but it was not there
His team say they have now been told Navalny's body will not be handed over to his family until an investigation is complete
Navalny ally Ivan Zhdanov said in a social media post that the activist's mother was told he died of "sudden death syndrome"
More than 340 people have been arrested in cities across Russia, according to a human rights group, as people held vigils and protests
There have been mass arrests in cities across Russia as people tried to pay tribute to Navalny at public monuments
Russian President Vladimir Putin has not spoken publicly about Navalny's death. Earlier, the Russian foreign ministry said it rejected "biased and unrealistic" assessments from the UK about the cause of his death
Analysis
Will there be political consequences after Navalny's death?
Steve Rosenberg
Russia editor, reporting from Moscow
These were already dark times for the Russian opposition. The country's main opposition leaders are either in exile or in prison. With Navalny's death, dark times have just got even darker. It's likely to demoralise the Kremlin's opponents even more.
Western leaders are insisting that President Vladimir Putin be held accountable and demanding serious consequences for the Kremlin.
Right now, it's hard to see what those could be. More sanctions? After its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia is already the most sanctioned country in the world, and the International Criminal Court has already issued an arrest warrant for President Putin in relation to the war.
But for Alexei Navalny's supporters, pondering the political consequences of his death is not their priority right now. They're in mourning.
Navalny's death a reminder not to take human rights for granted, says Varadkar
PACopyright: PA
Irish prime minister (Taoiseach) Leo Varadkar has described Navalny’s death as a "further reminder that Russia is a deeply oppressive, deeply undemocratic country".
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s PM programme, he said it served as a reminder to the West “not to take democracy, not to take human rights and our freedoms for granted".
"These are things that have to be defended. Freedom is never free.
Quote Message: The most important thing we can do now is to stand by Ukraine because there is nothing that Putin wants more than to be militarily successful in his attempt to take over that country.”
The most important thing we can do now is to stand by Ukraine because there is nothing that Putin wants more than to be militarily successful in his attempt to take over that country.”
Analysis
Navalny's allies have every reason not to trust the Kremlin
Sarah Rainsford
Eastern Europe Correspondent
Alexei Navalny’s family now have the confirmation they never wanted - the politician has died in prison.
But they still have no proper answers as to the cause of his sudden death, and they’re battling now to get his body released.
The politician’s relatives and team will certainly not believe any explanations that emerge from the official investigation – not in a country that tried to have Navalny killed with a nerve agent in 2020and that denies that, despite all the evidence.
When Navalny’s death in custody was first announced by the prison service, his family and team said they would not believe or confirm the news until they could check it for themselves.
As his wife, Yulia, put it: "We cannot trust the Putin government. They lie constantly." That’s why the BBC couldn’t be 100% definitive, either. There was no independent source.
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Alexei Navalny's mother and lawyer Alexei Tsvetkov were seen leaving the regional department of Russia's Investigative Committee in Salekhard todayImage caption: Alexei Navalny's mother and lawyer Alexei Tsvetkov were seen leaving the regional department of Russia's Investigative Committee in Salekhard today
A Kremlin spokesman did confirm on Friday that Vladimir Putin had been informed of Alexei Navalny’s death.
On top of that, state media were reporting his death as fact, prominent propagandists were discussing it - and whilst those sources regularly lie to bolster the Kremlin’s causes, in this case there was no obvious logic for that.
The delay, in the end, was because it took a whole day for Alexei Navalny’s mother and his lawyer to reach the prison colony above the Arctic Circle - and be handed the official notice of death.
Everything linked to the process from now on is extra complicated because Navalny’s closest friends, political allies and long-term lawyers are all abroad, for safety. And because they have zero trust in the authorities. With every reason.
At least 340 people arrested across Russia, rights group says
EPACopyright: EPA
People have been laying flowers mourning Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's death near the memorial to political prisoners in MoscowImage caption: People have been laying flowers mourning Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's death near the memorial to political prisoners in Moscow
At least 340 people have been detained at events across 30 Russian cities since the death of Alexei Navalny, according to the Russian human rights group OVD-Info.
The group said the largest numbers of arrests as of 14:00 GMT today occurred in St
Petersburg and Moscow.
In Moscow, people queued to lay flowers at a monument for victims of Soviet repression, the Wall of Grief, as well as in the city's Solovetsky Stone memorial commemorating prisoners and victims of political repression.
Three people explained why they had risked coming out to show their support for Navalny:
Quote Message: We only live once. Moreover, if we don’t come out now, then when? Now we may be detained and then released, but later we may not be released."
We only live once. Moreover, if we don’t come out now, then when? Now we may be detained and then released, but later we may not be released."
Quote Message: The main thing is truth. Truth to power."
The main thing is truth. Truth to power."
Quote Message: This is very sad for us all. But Alexei said not to give up. And we won`t give up. And let them think that they have won. History, truth and goodness are on our side, we will definitely win."
This is very sad for us all. But Alexei said not to give up. And we won`t give up. And let them think that they have won. History, truth and goodness are on our side, we will definitely win."
The isolated prison where Navalny spent his final days
BBCCopyright: BBC
Aptly nicknamed the Polar Wolf, the prison sits above the Arctic Circle and is described as a "special regime colony", with temperatures in the region plummeting to -30C in winter.
It's so much on the outskirts of civilisation that it makes it nearly impossible for visitors to reach the site.
Navalny was transported to the prison from his previous incarceration at the Melekhovo colony, approximately four hours from Moscow, where he had been serving a two-year sentence.
During his time in prison he suffered with health issues, perhaps as a result of being poisoned with Novichok, for which he had required life-saving treatment in the West.
Reporting debilitating back pain, stomach pain and numbness in his legs, the opposition politician was denied access to medical records, medication and subject to hourly night checks.
On 22 January, he explained how the prison wardens would often wake everybody up at 5am to play the Russian national anthem.
"And right after that - the second most important song in the country: Shaman's 'Ya Russky,'" he said, a song which translates to "I'm Russian" and has become an unofficial anthem of Vladimir Putin's.
However, his humour and charisma were still apparent in December when he gave an insight into the 1,200 mile (1,930km) journey from Melekhovo to Kharp.
"The 20 days of my transportation were pretty exhausting, but I'm still in a good mood, as befits a Santa Claus," he joked.
G7 call for Russia to clarify circumstances of Navalny's death
G7 foreign ministers have called on Russia to fully clarify the circumstances of Alexei Navalny's death.
The leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States met today in Munich, where the city's Security Conference is taking place.
"They expressed their outrage at the death in detention of
Alexei Navalny, unjustly sentenced for legitimate political
activities and his fight against corruption," according to a
statement released by Italy, which is currently chairing the
Group of Seven wealthy nations.
They earlier observed a minute's silence to pay tribute to the Russian activist.
Watch: Navalny's moments of defiance as Putin's fiercest critic
The anti-corruption campaigner had been in jail since 2021 on charges widely viewed as politically motivated.
The 47-year-old survived poisoning attempts and spent years in some of Russia's most notorious jails, as he and his allies exposed corruption at almost every level of the Russian state.
You can watch some of his moments of defiance below:
Video content
Video caption: Alexei Navalny's moments of defiance as Putin's fiercest criticAlexei Navalny's moments of defiance as Putin's fiercest critic
Analysis
Alexei Navalny: The charismatic politician who was a thorn in the Kremlin's side
Not all Russians had supported him. But, for a decade he was the only opposition figure in Russia capable of bringing large numbers of protesters on to the streets - across the country - to rail against the government, slam corruption and demand free and fair elections.
Which is why the Kremlin saw him as a threat.
Navalny had charisma and strength of character, as well as a sense of humour and the ability to inspire - rare for a Russian politician.
"What we're seeing now," he told me in 2017, "is that the internet is the number one concern for the current regime - and its number one enemy, too."
At the time the authorities had clearly wanted to avoid turning Navalny into a political martyr. He had run-ins with the police, but initially the punishments were smaller scale.
Now Alexei Navalny is dead. The Russian authorities claim that he lost consciousness after a walk inside a penal colony and that medical teams tried, but failed, to resuscitate him. His supporters are convinced it was a political assassination.
In pictures: People take to the streets after Navalny's death
Let's bring you some pictures of the protests and vigils happening all over the world, in response to Alexei Navalny's death:
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Police officers detain a man at a gathering remembering Navalny in MoscowImage caption: Police officers detain a man at a gathering remembering Navalny in Moscow
EPACopyright: EPA
People gather on Dam Square in AmsterdamImage caption: People gather on Dam Square in Amsterdam
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
An art school teacher makes final touches to a painting of Navalny in MumbaiImage caption: An art school teacher makes final touches to a painting of Navalny in Mumbai
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Floral tributes have been left outside the Russian Embassy in LondonImage caption: Floral tributes have been left outside the Russian Embassy in London
EPACopyright: EPA
While in Copenhagen, people have been taking part in a demonstration outside the Russian EmbassyImage caption: While in Copenhagen, people have been taking part in a demonstration outside the Russian Embassy
Russians laying flowers cling to hope of a better future
Steve Rosenberg
Russia editor, reporting from Moscow
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
By Moscow's "Wall of Grief" - a memorial to the victims of Stalin-era political repression - I watch Russians laying roses and carnations, and lighting candles in memory of the opposition leader. Police are out in force, hurrying people along.
"I saw the news on my phone," Mikhail tells me. "My first reaction was, 'It's just a joke. It can't be real.' But then the news came more and more and more. And I was crying for one hour."
"I was with my friends [when I found out]," says Alina. "I was broken. I really thought that it couldn't happen. Never."
"We never thought it could happen": it's a phrase I have heard so often from Russians in recent times.
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Later the riot police try to clear the square in front of the memorial.
"We have the right to be here," shouts a woman. "We want to stand here and we will. This street isn't yours. It belongs to everyone."
The police don't think so. They start pushing people away and making arrests.
But I'll tell you what struck me most when I talked to people who'd come to lay flowers. Some of them told me that, despite a sense of shock, they still hoped for a better future, a different Russia. And they were clinging on to that hope - like a single shaft of light in the darkness.
Watch: Hundreds of Russians arrested at Navalny protests, human rights group says
Video content
Video caption: Alexei Navalny: Tributes and arrests as Russians mark opposition leader's deathAlexei Navalny: Tributes and arrests as Russians mark opposition leader's death
Earlier, we brought you reports that more than 100 street protesters in Russia had been detained following Alexei Navalny's death.
We're now hearing that at least 231 people across 21 cities in Russia have been detained at memorial events for the activist, according to OVD-Info, a human rights organisation.
The video above shows Russians gathering to pay tribute to Navalny - an outspoken Putin critic - in cities including St Petersburg, Moscow, and Yekaterinburg.
Police can be seen leading, and in some cases dragging, protesters away from the events.
Authorities say body will be handed over after investigation - Navalny spokeswoman
Russians investigators have said Alexei Navalny's body will not be handed over to his family until an investigation is complete, according to the activist's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh.
As we've been reporting, she has told the BBC the family does not know where his body is being kept.
Penal colony told Navalny's mother he died of sudden death syndrome, ally says
The penal colony where Navalny died told the activist's mother he died of "sudden death syndrome", according to a member of his team.
Navalny ally Ivan Zhdanov posted the update on X, formerly Twitter, as Navalny's family await the return of his body.
Navalny's team has claimed he was murdered and accused Russian authorities of withholding his body to "cover traces".
Navalny's team says Russian authorities are 'hiding' his body
BBCCopyright: BBC
Kira Yarmysh spoke to the BBC on Saturday morningImage caption: Kira Yarmysh spoke to the BBC on Saturday morning
Alexei Navalny's team has claimed his body is purposely being withheld by the Russian government.
Navalny's spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh, told the BBC Navalny's team believes Vladimir Putin ordered the death of the activist, who was arguably the Russian president's most famous critic.
She has said: "We know for sure that it wasn’t just a death, it
was a murder.
"They are trying to cover
traces, this is why they are not giving the body to his family and this is why
they are just hiding him from them."
Yarmysh said she does not know where the body is and when it will be given to Navalny's family.
She has explained that according to Russian laws, the body of an inmate should be given to relatives within two days after the death.
Earlier, the Russian foreign ministry said it rejected "biased and unrealistic" assessments from the UK about the cause of Navalny's death.
Russian foreign ministry rejects 'biased' UK assessments of Navalny's death
The Russian foreign ministry has released a statement rejecting what it calls the "biased and unrealistic assessments" of the UK about the death of Alexei Navalny.
The statement confirms that the Russian ambassador to the UK was "invited" to the British Foreign Office on Saturday.
"During the meeting, the British side voiced a number of biased and unrealistic assessments regarding the death of citizen A. Navalny, and also tried, with no grounds, to hold the Russian authorities responsible for what happened.
"In this regard, the Russian side emphasised that the UK’s attempts to interfere in the fundamentally internal affairs of our country are categorically unacceptable."
A recap of today's developments
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
The death of Russian opposition politician and outspoken Vladimir Putin critic Alexei Navalny has triggered a global reaction, with supporters demonstrating outside Russian embassies and world leaders paying tribute. If you're just joining our coverage, here's a quick recap:
Navalny's team has confirmed the death of the political activist, after it was first announced on Friday by the prison where he was serving a lengthy sentence
The 47-year-old died on Friday at 14:17 local time, according to a document given to his mother, Navalny's spokesperson Kira Yarmysh said. But no cause of death has been given, and his team have called for his body to be "immediately" returned to his family
In a further update, Yarmysh said Navalny's mother and lawyer had travelled to the morgue where officials said his body was being kept, but it was not there
The UK's Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron has said there "should be consequences" following Navalny's death and that the UK will be taking action
There has been a crackdown in Russia on tributes to Navalny. More than 100 people have been detained in cities across Russia after Navalny supporters paid tribute publicly
As our Eastern Europe Correspondent Sarah Rainsford notes, the actions of police suggest the Kremlin is moving to stamp out any hint of mass gatherings or demonstrations
Tributes have been pouring in from global figures, with former US President Barack Obama describing Navalny as a "fearless advocate for his beliefs" who "inspired millions"
The G7 held a minute's silence to pay their respects to Navalny at the Munich Security Conference today
Stay with us for more of the latest updates as we continue our coverage throughout the day.
Navalny's team says body not in morgue where officials said it was
ShutterstockCopyright: Shutterstock
Alexei Navalny's team has said his body is not in the morgue where officials said he was.
Kira Yarmysh, a spokesperson for the Russian activist, said Navalny's mother and lawyer had arrived at the morgue, in Salekhard, a town near the prison he had been serving in, but it was closed.
In an update on X, formerly Twitter, Yarmysh said both of them had been "assured" his body was there by the penal colony.
But Yarmysh goes on to say: "The lawyer called the phone number which was on the door. He was told he was the seventh caller today. Alexei's body is not in the morgue."
Navalny's death devastating, says documentary director
The director of the Oscar-winning 2022 documentary "Navalny" has told the BBC he was "devastated" to receive the news of Alexei Navalny's death and he feels "a deep well of grief".
Daniel Roher's documentary centred on Navalny's work as a political activist and the events related to his poisoning.
Roher, who said he considered Nalvany a friend, told the BBC he called a friend when he first heard the news and asked, "Is it true?"
He added: "To be woken up at four in the morning to that news is quite devastating and upsetting and you know we live in a different world now and that's challenging for me to reconcile."
Roher said he always believed that Navalny would "defy the odds" and "chart a new course for the Russian opposition" but that he believes his legacy will inspire others to "continue the fight".
Live Reporting
Edited by Alex Therrien and Marita Moloney
All times stated are UK
Get involved
-
You can read our news story here on today's developments
-
Our Russia editor Steve Rosenberg reports from Moscow on the grief, defiance and hope among Navalny's supporters
- Watch this video here to see the tributes, vigils and arrests that have been taking place across Russia
-
This profile of Navalny details how he was Vladimir Putin's most vociferous critic and outlines his political activism
-
Want to know how Russian state media are spinning Navalny's death? Then click here
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images -
Alexei Navalny's team believe the 47-year-old, who died yesterday after being held in an Arctic Circle jail, was murdered and that the killing was ordered by President Vladimir Putin
-
Navalny's spokeswoman says his body is purposely being withheld by the Russian authorities so they can "cover traces"
-
Kira Yarmysh also said Navalny's mother and lawyer had travelled to the morgue where officials said his body was being kept, but it was not there
-
His team say they have now been told Navalny's body will not be handed over to his family until an investigation is complete
-
Navalny ally Ivan Zhdanov said in a social media post that the activist's mother was told he died of "sudden death syndrome"
-
More than 340 people have been arrested in cities across Russia, according to a human rights group, as people held vigils and protests
-
There have been mass arrests in cities across Russia as people tried to pay tribute to Navalny at public monuments
-
Russian President Vladimir Putin has not spoken publicly about Navalny's death. Earlier, the Russian foreign ministry said it rejected "biased and unrealistic" assessments from the UK about the cause of his death
Analysis
PACopyright: PA Analysis
ReutersCopyright: Reuters Alexei Navalny's mother and lawyer Alexei Tsvetkov were seen leaving the regional department of Russia's Investigative Committee in Salekhard todayImage caption: Alexei Navalny's mother and lawyer Alexei Tsvetkov were seen leaving the regional department of Russia's Investigative Committee in Salekhard today 
EPACopyright: EPA People have been laying flowers mourning Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's death near the memorial to political prisoners in MoscowImage caption: People have been laying flowers mourning Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's death near the memorial to political prisoners in Moscow 
BBCCopyright: BBC Video caption: Alexei Navalny's moments of defiance as Putin's fiercest criticAlexei Navalny's moments of defiance as Putin's fiercest critic Analysis
ReutersCopyright: Reuters Police officers detain a man at a gathering remembering Navalny in MoscowImage caption: Police officers detain a man at a gathering remembering Navalny in Moscow 
EPACopyright: EPA People gather on Dam Square in AmsterdamImage caption: People gather on Dam Square in Amsterdam 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images An art school teacher makes final touches to a painting of Navalny in MumbaiImage caption: An art school teacher makes final touches to a painting of Navalny in Mumbai 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media Floral tributes have been left outside the Russian Embassy in LondonImage caption: Floral tributes have been left outside the Russian Embassy in London 
EPACopyright: EPA While in Copenhagen, people have been taking part in a demonstration outside the Russian EmbassyImage caption: While in Copenhagen, people have been taking part in a demonstration outside the Russian Embassy 
ReutersCopyright: Reuters 
ReutersCopyright: Reuters Video caption: Alexei Navalny: Tributes and arrests as Russians mark opposition leader's deathAlexei Navalny: Tributes and arrests as Russians mark opposition leader's death 
BBCCopyright: BBC Kira Yarmysh spoke to the BBC on Saturday morningImage caption: Kira Yarmysh spoke to the BBC on Saturday morning 
ReutersCopyright: Reuters -
Navalny's team has confirmed the death of the political activist, after it was first announced on Friday by the prison where he was serving a lengthy sentence
-
The 47-year-old died on Friday at 14:17 local time, according to a document given to his mother, Navalny's spokesperson Kira Yarmysh said. But no cause of death has been given, and his team have called for his body to be "immediately" returned to his family
-
In a further update, Yarmysh said Navalny's mother and lawyer had travelled to the morgue where officials said his body was being kept, but it was not there
-
The UK's Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron has said there "should be consequences" following Navalny's death and that the UK will be taking action
-
There has been a crackdown in Russia on tributes to Navalny. More than 100 people have been detained in cities across Russia after Navalny supporters paid tribute publicly
-
As our Eastern Europe Correspondent Sarah Rainsford notes, the actions of police suggest the Kremlin is moving to stamp out any hint of mass gatherings or demonstrations
-
Tributes have been pouring in from global figures, with former US President Barack Obama describing Navalny as a "fearless advocate for his beliefs" who "inspired millions"
-
The G7 held a minute's silence to pay their respects to Navalny at the Munich Security Conference today
ShutterstockCopyright: Shutterstock
Latest PostPost update
While we're closing this live page now, there's still plenty of stories across the BBC News site on Alexei Navalny's death:
Today's coverage was brought to you by Alex Therrien, Tarik Habte, Marita Moloney, Maria Zaccaro and Ruth Comerford. Thanks for joining us.
Thanks for joining us
It's 21:00 in Moscow and 18:00 here in London, where we've been reporting on the death of Russian activist and Vladimir Putin critic Alexei Navalny.
We're going to wrap up our live coverage now, but before we go, here's what happened today:
Will there be political consequences after Navalny's death?
Steve Rosenberg
Russia editor, reporting from Moscow
These were already dark times for the Russian opposition. The country's main opposition leaders are either in exile or in prison. With Navalny's death, dark times have just got even darker. It's likely to demoralise the Kremlin's opponents even more.
Western leaders are insisting that President Vladimir Putin be held accountable and demanding serious consequences for the Kremlin.
Right now, it's hard to see what those could be. More sanctions? After its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia is already the most sanctioned country in the world, and the International Criminal Court has already issued an arrest warrant for President Putin in relation to the war.
But for Alexei Navalny's supporters, pondering the political consequences of his death is not their priority right now. They're in mourning.
Navalny's death a reminder not to take human rights for granted, says Varadkar
Irish prime minister (Taoiseach) Leo Varadkar has described Navalny’s death as a "further reminder that Russia is a deeply oppressive, deeply undemocratic country".
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s PM programme, he said it served as a reminder to the West “not to take democracy, not to take human rights and our freedoms for granted".
"These are things that have to be defended. Freedom is never free.
Navalny's allies have every reason not to trust the Kremlin
Sarah Rainsford
Eastern Europe Correspondent
Alexei Navalny’s family now have the confirmation they never wanted - the politician has died in prison.
But they still have no proper answers as to the cause of his sudden death, and they’re battling now to get his body released.
The politician’s relatives and team will certainly not believe any explanations that emerge from the official investigation – not in a country that tried to have Navalny killed with a nerve agent in 2020and that denies that, despite all the evidence.
When Navalny’s death in custody was first announced by the prison service, his family and team said they would not believe or confirm the news until they could check it for themselves.
As his wife, Yulia, put it: "We cannot trust the Putin government. They lie constantly." That’s why the BBC couldn’t be 100% definitive, either. There was no independent source.
A Kremlin spokesman did confirm on Friday that Vladimir Putin had been informed of Alexei Navalny’s death.
On top of that, state media were reporting his death as fact, prominent propagandists were discussing it - and whilst those sources regularly lie to bolster the Kremlin’s causes, in this case there was no obvious logic for that.
The delay, in the end, was because it took a whole day for Alexei Navalny’s mother and his lawyer to reach the prison colony above the Arctic Circle - and be handed the official notice of death.
Everything linked to the process from now on is extra complicated because Navalny’s closest friends, political allies and long-term lawyers are all abroad, for safety. And because they have zero trust in the authorities. With every reason.
At least 340 people arrested across Russia, rights group says
At least 340 people have been detained at events across 30 Russian cities since the death of Alexei Navalny, according to the Russian human rights group OVD-Info.
The group said the largest numbers of arrests as of 14:00 GMT today occurred in St Petersburg and Moscow.
In Moscow, people queued to lay flowers at a monument for victims of Soviet repression, the Wall of Grief, as well as in the city's Solovetsky Stone memorial commemorating prisoners and victims of political repression.
Three people explained why they had risked coming out to show their support for Navalny:
The isolated prison where Navalny spent his final days
Aptly nicknamed the Polar Wolf, the prison sits above the Arctic Circle and is described as a "special regime colony", with temperatures in the region plummeting to -30C in winter.
It's so much on the outskirts of civilisation that it makes it nearly impossible for visitors to reach the site.
Navalny was transported to the prison from his previous incarceration at the Melekhovo colony, approximately four hours from Moscow, where he had been serving a two-year sentence.
During his time in prison he suffered with health issues, perhaps as a result of being poisoned with Novichok, for which he had required life-saving treatment in the West.
Reporting debilitating back pain, stomach pain and numbness in his legs, the opposition politician was denied access to medical records, medication and subject to hourly night checks.
On 22 January, he explained how the prison wardens would often wake everybody up at 5am to play the Russian national anthem.
"And right after that - the second most important song in the country: Shaman's 'Ya Russky,'" he said, a song which translates to "I'm Russian" and has become an unofficial anthem of Vladimir Putin's.
However, his humour and charisma were still apparent in December when he gave an insight into the 1,200 mile (1,930km) journey from Melekhovo to Kharp.
"The 20 days of my transportation were pretty exhausting, but I'm still in a good mood, as befits a Santa Claus," he joked.
G7 call for Russia to clarify circumstances of Navalny's death
G7 foreign ministers have called on Russia to fully clarify the circumstances of Alexei Navalny's death.
The leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States met today in Munich, where the city's Security Conference is taking place.
"They expressed their outrage at the death in detention of Alexei Navalny, unjustly sentenced for legitimate political activities and his fight against corruption," according to a statement released by Italy, which is currently chairing the Group of Seven wealthy nations.
They earlier observed a minute's silence to pay tribute to the Russian activist.
Watch: Navalny's moments of defiance as Putin's fiercest critic
As we've been reporting, Alexei Navalny was President Vladimir Putin's most vociferous critic and viewed as a threat by the Kremlin.
The anti-corruption campaigner had been in jail since 2021 on charges widely viewed as politically motivated.
The 47-year-old survived poisoning attempts and spent years in some of Russia's most notorious jails, as he and his allies exposed corruption at almost every level of the Russian state.
You can watch some of his moments of defiance below:
Video content
Alexei Navalny: The charismatic politician who was a thorn in the Kremlin's side
Steve Rosenberg
Russia editor, reporting from Moscow
Alexei Navalny, Russia's most prominent opposition figure and the country's most famous prisoner, had, in fact, been many things: lawyer, blogger, anti-corruption campaigner, political activist - and always a thorn in the side of the Kremlin.
Not all Russians had supported him. But, for a decade he was the only opposition figure in Russia capable of bringing large numbers of protesters on to the streets - across the country - to rail against the government, slam corruption and demand free and fair elections.
Which is why the Kremlin saw him as a threat.
Navalny had charisma and strength of character, as well as a sense of humour and the ability to inspire - rare for a Russian politician.
He also understood the power of the internet for getting across his message. He and his team produced and uploaded highly-polished documentaries that shone a light on alleged corruption at the highest levels of power in Russia.
"What we're seeing now," he told me in 2017, "is that the internet is the number one concern for the current regime - and its number one enemy, too."
At the time the authorities had clearly wanted to avoid turning Navalny into a political martyr. He had run-ins with the police, but initially the punishments were smaller scale.
Now Alexei Navalny is dead. The Russian authorities claim that he lost consciousness after a walk inside a penal colony and that medical teams tried, but failed, to resuscitate him. His supporters are convinced it was a political assassination.
In pictures: People take to the streets after Navalny's death
Let's bring you some pictures of the protests and vigils happening all over the world, in response to Alexei Navalny's death:
Russians laying flowers cling to hope of a better future
Steve Rosenberg
Russia editor, reporting from Moscow
By Moscow's "Wall of Grief" - a memorial to the victims of Stalin-era political repression - I watch Russians laying roses and carnations, and lighting candles in memory of the opposition leader. Police are out in force, hurrying people along.
In a country where dissent has pretty much been silenced, for many here just laying flowers is an act of courage. There is a palpable sense of disbelief.
"I saw the news on my phone," Mikhail tells me. "My first reaction was, 'It's just a joke. It can't be real.' But then the news came more and more and more. And I was crying for one hour."
"I was with my friends [when I found out]," says Alina. "I was broken. I really thought that it couldn't happen. Never."
"We never thought it could happen": it's a phrase I have heard so often from Russians in recent times.
Later the riot police try to clear the square in front of the memorial.
"We have the right to be here," shouts a woman. "We want to stand here and we will. This street isn't yours. It belongs to everyone."
The police don't think so. They start pushing people away and making arrests.
But I'll tell you what struck me most when I talked to people who'd come to lay flowers. Some of them told me that, despite a sense of shock, they still hoped for a better future, a different Russia. And they were clinging on to that hope - like a single shaft of light in the darkness.
Watch: Hundreds of Russians arrested at Navalny protests, human rights group says
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Earlier, we brought you reports that more than 100 street protesters in Russia had been detained following Alexei Navalny's death.
We're now hearing that at least 231 people across 21 cities in Russia have been detained at memorial events for the activist, according to OVD-Info, a human rights organisation.
The video above shows Russians gathering to pay tribute to Navalny - an outspoken Putin critic - in cities including St Petersburg, Moscow, and Yekaterinburg.
Police can be seen leading, and in some cases dragging, protesters away from the events.
Authorities say body will be handed over after investigation - Navalny spokeswoman
Russians investigators have said Alexei Navalny's body will not be handed over to his family until an investigation is complete, according to the activist's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh.
As we've been reporting, she has told the BBC the family does not know where his body is being kept.
Penal colony told Navalny's mother he died of sudden death syndrome, ally says
The penal colony where Navalny died told the activist's mother he died of "sudden death syndrome", according to a member of his team.
Navalny ally Ivan Zhdanov posted the update on X, formerly Twitter, as Navalny's family await the return of his body.
Navalny's team has claimed he was murdered and accused Russian authorities of withholding his body to "cover traces".
Navalny's team says Russian authorities are 'hiding' his body
Alexei Navalny's team has claimed his body is purposely being withheld by the Russian government.
Navalny's spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh, told the BBC Navalny's team believes Vladimir Putin ordered the death of the activist, who was arguably the Russian president's most famous critic.
She has said: "We know for sure that it wasn’t just a death, it was a murder.
"They are trying to cover traces, this is why they are not giving the body to his family and this is why they are just hiding him from them."
Yarmysh said she does not know where the body is and when it will be given to Navalny's family.
She has explained that according to Russian laws, the body of an inmate should be given to relatives within two days after the death.
Earlier, the Russian foreign ministry said it rejected "biased and unrealistic" assessments from the UK about the cause of Navalny's death.
Russian foreign ministry rejects 'biased' UK assessments of Navalny's death
The Russian foreign ministry has released a statement rejecting what it calls the "biased and unrealistic assessments" of the UK about the death of Alexei Navalny.
The statement confirms that the Russian ambassador to the UK was "invited" to the British Foreign Office on Saturday.
"During the meeting, the British side voiced a number of biased and unrealistic assessments regarding the death of citizen A. Navalny, and also tried, with no grounds, to hold the Russian authorities responsible for what happened.
"In this regard, the Russian side emphasised that the UK’s attempts to interfere in the fundamentally internal affairs of our country are categorically unacceptable."
A recap of today's developments
The death of Russian opposition politician and outspoken Vladimir Putin critic Alexei Navalny has triggered a global reaction, with supporters demonstrating outside Russian embassies and world leaders paying tribute. If you're just joining our coverage, here's a quick recap:
Stay with us for more of the latest updates as we continue our coverage throughout the day.
Navalny's team says body not in morgue where officials said it was
Alexei Navalny's team has said his body is not in the morgue where officials said he was.
Kira Yarmysh, a spokesperson for the Russian activist, said Navalny's mother and lawyer had arrived at the morgue, in Salekhard, a town near the prison he had been serving in, but it was closed.
In an update on X, formerly Twitter, Yarmysh said both of them had been "assured" his body was there by the penal colony.
But Yarmysh goes on to say: "The lawyer called the phone number which was on the door. He was told he was the seventh caller today. Alexei's body is not in the morgue."
Navalny's death devastating, says documentary director
The director of the Oscar-winning 2022 documentary "Navalny" has told the BBC he was "devastated" to receive the news of Alexei Navalny's death and he feels "a deep well of grief".
Daniel Roher's documentary centred on Navalny's work as a political activist and the events related to his poisoning.
Roher, who said he considered Nalvany a friend, told the BBC he called a friend when he first heard the news and asked, "Is it true?"
He added: "To be woken up at four in the morning to that news is quite devastating and upsetting and you know we live in a different world now and that's challenging for me to reconcile."
Roher said he always believed that Navalny would "defy the odds" and "chart a new course for the Russian opposition" but that he believes his legacy will inspire others to "continue the fight".