The Life and Death of Alexei Navalny

On Friday morning, Russian prison authorities announced the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. He reportedly had felt unwell after a walk in the courtyard of Penal Colony No. 3—where he had been transferred a few weeks earlier—and lost consciousness. Arriving rescuers’ attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, and Navalny’s team confirmed his death the following day. Though the exact cause of his demise is still unknown—Navalny’s allies have already said he was murdered—there is no doubt the Kremlin bears full responsibility.

People have gathered around the world in...