Many of Saturday’s papers lead with the reported death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Russia’s prison service said on Friday that Navalny, who was imprisoned in 2021 on charges widely considered to be politically motivated, lost consciousness after saying he felt unwell. The i carries the headline, “Murdered by the Kremlin”, and says world leaders have blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for the death. It quotes US President Joe Biden condemning “Putin and his thugs” and Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron describing the Russian government as a “dreadful regime”.
The Financial Times reports that the Russian authorities have said “the reasons for [Navalny’s] death are being clarified”, while Navalny’s team have said only that they have had “no confirmation” of his death. The paper says videos on social media showed Russians lining up in the snow in Moscow to lay flowers for Navalny at a memorial to victims of Soviet prison camps. One woman who attended said she saw others sharing her “shock and resentment”.
Just hours after Russia said Navalny had died, his widow, Yulia Navalnaya, vowed that Putin “will answer” for the alleged killing, according to the Daily Mail. The paper also quotes Navalny’s mother saying he had been “healthy and cheerful” when she visited him earlier in the week.
The Daily Express says Navalnaya was given a standing ovation when she appeared on stage at the Munich Security Conference, and further quotes her saying: “I want Putin, his entire entourage, Putin’s friends, and his government to know that they will bear responsibility. And this day will come very soon.” She also called on the international community to “unite and defeat this evil”, the paper says.
President Biden, who previously promised “devastating” consequences should Navalny die in jail, has said he is now considering a “whole number of options”, according to the Daily Telegraph. The paper also says that, asked whether the death could help convince Republicans in Congress to drop their opposition to a $61bn (£48bn) aid package for Ukraine, Biden replied: “I hope to god it helps.” It adds that the UK government summoned the Russian ambassador late on Friday to make clear that it holds the Russian authorities “fully responsible” for Navalny’s death.
The Daily Mirror says the Duke of Sussex has spoken of his wish to patch things up with his family following the King’s cancer diagnosis. The paper reports that the prince has said he is “grateful” to have been reunited with the King last week and that he hopes to see his family as often as he can.
The duke is willing to return to a temporary royal role in support of his father during the illness, according to the Times, which cites sources. The paper says the King is also believed to want to see more of his son and that there is a growing sense a rapprochement would “benefit the institution”. A royal source is quoted saying that “much has been said on both sides in recent years” but that that has “never diminished the fundamental bond of blood”.
And the Daily Star says darts player Darren Webster has accused rival Ron Meulenkamp of farting near the board during a game to “put him off his throw”. The headline reads: “You stinker!”
