Russian President Vladimir Putin was probably not involved in the death of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, who died in custody last February, according to an investigation by the Wall Street Journal. This conclusion is based on sources close to US intelligence agencies

Navalny, Putin’s main political opponent, died in detention in the Arctic region of Yamal-Nenets. His supporters, labelled extremists by the Russian authorities, accused Putin of ordering his assassination and promised to provide evidence to back up their allegations.

The Kremlin has denied any involvement of the Russian state in his death. Putin described Navalny’s disappearance as ‘sad’ last month and said he had agreed in principle to an exchange involving the political opponent before he died in custody.

Maria Pevtchikh, a person close to Navalny, confirmed in February that the Russian opponent was on the verge of being released as part of a prisoner swap, on condition that he never return to Russia.

The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources close to the case, reported that US intelligence agencies had concluded that Putin had probably not ordered Navalny’s assassination. However, Washington has not absolved Putin of any responsibility for Navalny’s death. The United States believes that Navalny had been a target of the Russian authorities for years, that he was imprisoned on political charges and that he had been poisoned with a nerve agent in 2020. The Kremlin has denied any involvement in the poisoning.