Russian President Vladimir Putin did not directly order the death of Alexei Navalny , his main opponent who died in "mysterious" circumstances on February 16 , while he was detained in the remote penal colony IK-3, about two thousand kilometers from Moscow.

The Wall Street Journal reports this, citing American intelligence sources. However, the conclusion reached by the US 007s is criticized by Navalny's allies. “Those who say that Putin didn't know clearly don't understand how modern Russia works,” said Leonid Volkov , one of Navalny's allies. Adding: "The idea that Putin was not informed and did not approve the killing of Navalny is ridiculous ."

For its part, the Kremlin comments, through its spokesman Dmitry Peskov: «I saw the article. I wouldn't describe it as a high quality item that deserves attention. It's just useless speculation . It seems the goal was to give the global audience something to read on the weekend ,” he cut

short Peskov.

(Unioneonline/lf)