Putin critic Navalny's body found with signs of bruises: Report
What's the story
The body of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been found in a morgue days after it was said to be missing from there.
It had "signs of bruises" on the head and chest, an anonymous paramedic told a Russian newspaper. They resembled marks that one suffers when being held down during a seizure, he added.
Navalny, who reportedly died on Friday (February 16), was a prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The development comes just days after the jailed Russian opposition leader was reported dead.
He allegedly died after a walk at the "Polar Wolf" penal colony in Kharp, roughly 1,900km northeast of Moscow.
According to Russia's federal penitentiary services, despite resuscitation efforts, Navalny did not survive.
Meanwhile, Western leaders, including United States (US) President Joe Biden, have held Putin responsible for Navalny's death.
Source's statement
Navalny's body taken to hospital against protocol: Paramedic
According to the paramedic, as per protocol, the bodies of people who die in jail are taken straight to the Bureau of Forensic Medicine.
However, Navalny's body was taken to a clinical hospital, he said.
"They drove him to the morgue, brought him in, and then stationed two policemen in front of the door. They might as well have put up a sign saying, 'Something mysterious is going on here,'" he added.
Russia's statement
Russia claims Navalny died of natural causes
"As an experienced paramedic, I can say that the injuries described by those who saw them appeared to be from convulsions," the paramedic further explained.
"They also said he had a bruise on his chest — the kind that comes from indirect cardiac massage," he added.
Moreover, the Russian government has denied that the 47-year-old was beaten or tortured and has claimed that he died of natural causes.
Family reacts
Family denied access to Navalny's body
According to reports, prison officials told Navalny's mother, Lyudmila, he died of "sudden death syndrome."
Lyudmila and Navalny's lawyer arrived in the prison region on Saturday, but were refused access to his body.
They were told his body couldn't be handed over until an investigation was done.
Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, earlier said she was skeptical of the news of her husband's death since it came from Russian government sources.
Alexei Navalny
Who was Navalny
Navalny rose to fame almost 10 years ago through his satirical criticism of the elite class around President Putin and his voicing of allegations of corruption on a vast scale.
The deceased 47-year-old's political career peaked in 2013 after he acquired 27% of the vote in a Moscow mayoral election that few assessed free or fair.
Later, in 2020, he was rushed to Germany for treatment after being allegedly poisoned by the Russian Federal Security Service.