US intelligence agencies have determined that Russian President Vladimir Putin probably didn’t order opposition politician Alexei Navalny killed at an Arctic prison camp in February, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.
Navalny, 47 when he died, was Putin’s fiercest domestic critic. His allies, branded extremists by the authorities, accused Putin of having him murdered and have said they will provide proof to back their allegation.
The Kremlin has denied any state involvement.
While the assessment did not dispute Putin’s culpability for the death, it found that the timing possibly was not as intended by Putin, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday he had seen the Journal’s report, which he said contained “empty speculation”.
“I’ve seen the material, I wouldn’t say it’s high quality material that deserves attention,” Peskov said.
The US intelligence’s assessment could impact Navalny’s future and the political landscape in Russia. Moreover, it raises questions about the credibility of Russian authorities and the rule of law in the country.
Additionally, the report may galvanize Navalny’s supporters and further expose the shortcomings of the Russian government. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in global politics.
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