Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is dead, the prison service of the Yamalo-Nenets region where he had been serving his sentence said on Friday.

In a statement published on its website, the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District said Mr Navalny “felt unwell” after a walk on Friday, and “almost immediately lost consciousness”.

It said that medical staff had been called, but that they were unable to resuscitate Mr Navalny. It said the reason of death was being established.

After news of Mr Navalny’s death broke on Friday morning, the Kremlin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the country’s penitentiary service was making all checks regarding the death, but added that he had no information about the matter.

Russia’s Investigative Committee has confirmed it has also launched a procedural probe into the death.

State news agency TASS has reported that Russian president Vladimir Putin has been informed of Mr Navalny’s death.

Mr Navalny’s press secretary, Kira Yarmysh, said on X that she was unable to confirm his death, adding that his lawyer is travelling to the prison.

More to follow…