By Anna Chernova, Sabstian Shulaka, Christian Edwards and Jennifer Hansler. CNN
The conversation to leave Russia’s opposition leader Alexi Navalani in the exchange of a prisoner reached his “final stage” just before his sudden death, said a top ally of Navalani.
Nawalani and two American citizens were on the verge of exchanging a lifetime in Germany for the murder of a former checked fighter in Berlin, for the lifetime hitman, Vadim Krasicov, who, according to Maria Pewchik, a top ally of Navalni, speaking in a video published on Monday on his YouTube channel.
Pavik said, “Navalani should have been free in the coming days because we had taken a decision on his exchange.” “I was confirmed that the conversation was in the final stages on the evening of 15 February.” Navalni died in an Arctic jail on 16 February.
CNN could not verify the claims of Pevik independently. The German government refused to comment on the video. In response to a question about CNN’s Matthew Chance claims, Kremlin’s spokesman Dimitri Peskov said, “I don’t know anything about such an agreement.”
A Western official told CNN on Monday that there was an initial discussion about the exchange of a prisoner involving Navalani and American citizens, but no formal proposal was made before his death. The official did not explain whether Krasikov was involved in the discussions, nor did he involve the American citizens.
The State Department would not comment on the reports of a potential prisoner swap, and spokesperson Matthew Miller would not say whether such a deal would have incorrectly involved both Americans detained in Russia: Wall Street Journal reporter Ivan Gorshrovich and former American Marine Paul Vehlan.
Putin recently indicated his interest in a prisoner exchange with the West, incorporating Creskov and Gorskovic. He told former Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson that “an agreement could be reached” to leave a person who he said “inspired by the causes of patriotism” ended a bandit in one of the European capitals. ,
Pavachik said that Putin could get “Creskov” if he left Navalani, “but he alleged, as Putin could not tolerate Navalani’s idea of being independent, instead he decided to get rid of the bargained chip.”
Kremlin has denied any role in Navalni’s death.
“It is absolutely irrational, absolutely irrational, it is the behavior of crazy mafioso. But the issue is that Putin has gone mad with hatred for Navalni. Putin hates him so much that he works against his own barrier and his own rational interests, ”Peevik said.
Russia’s prison service claims that Navalani lost “almost immediate” consciousness while detaining “the polar wolf” in Siberia and “Polar Wolf” in Siberia. It said that it was investigating his “sudden death”.
Navalni’s mother, Ludmila Navalanaya, said that last week she signed her medical death certificate, stating that she died due to natural reasons.
Pawik said that Navalni’s team was working on the deal as a full-scale invasion in Russia’s Ukraine began two years ago, and accused the Western authorities that they failed to show sufficient will or political will to secure their exchange.
“Officers, US and German, wisely nodded, talked about how important it was to help Navalni and political prisoners, shake, promised, and did nothing,” he said.
He said that Navalani’s team took frustrated measures to free him, even contacting former US Secretary Henry Kissinger, who was described by Putin as a friend of Putin. Kissinger has died.
Pavachik claimed that Roman Abramovich of the Russian elite class served as “an informal negotiator” and Putin was proposed to prisoner Swap. He said that Abramovich did not answer his questions about his alleged role in the talks. CNN could not verify his claims.
Navalni joined a long list of Russian dissatisfaction, who died after challenging Putin’s validity. He died shortly before the Russian presidential election for March 15–17, which is widely seen slightly more than a formality by the international community that will protect Putin the fifth term in power and expand his rule by at least 2030.
Navalni’s body came back to his mother on Saturday, more than a week after his death. Navalanaya earlier claimed that the Russian officer refused to hand over his son’s body, blackmailing him, until he “where, when and how and how Alexi should be buried.”
Peskov said on Monday that the allegations of Navalanaya were “absurd” and the Kremlin “has nothing to do with the case” and so “can’t put pressure.”
Navalani spokesman Kira Yarmish said on Monday that his team is “looking for a hall for a public farewell for Alexi to be held later this week”.