NBC News’ Keir Simmons questioned Vladimir Putin about his crackdown on opposition after the leader was predictably claimed the landslide winner of Russia’s presidential election, which has widely been condemned as neither free nor fair.
“Mr. President, journalist Evan Gershkovich spent this election in prison. Boris Nadezhdin, who opposes your war in Ukraine, wasn’t allowed to stand against you. And Alexei Navalny died in one of your prisons during your campaign. Mr. President, is this what you call democracy?” the network’s chief international correspondent asked.
Speaking about the prominent opposition leader in his response Putin said, “As for Mr. Navalny, he has perished, this is always a sad event. Well, we have had other instances when people died in prison. Has nothing like that ever happened in the U.S.? It has happened, and not once.”
“By the way, this will be unexpected but several days before Mr. Navalny perished, I was told by some of my colleagues and the administration employees, some people, that there is an idea to exchange Mr. Navalny for some people in prison in Western countries,” Putin continued.
Putin made news by appearing to confirm reports that his foe was close to be being freed in a prisoner swap before his death. Putin’s remarks were also notable in that he repeatedly referenced Navalny by name for the first time in years.
