Leaders around the world are offering tributes -- and expressing anger -- over the reported death of Alexei Navalny, the Russian dissident who was one of President Vladimir Putin's most outspoken critics.

Navalny gained renown for exposing and speaking out against corruption in Putin's inner circle. He was poisoned in 2020 and spent months recovering in Germany. On his return to Russia, he was promptly arrested on charges that he dismissed as politically motivated.

Navalny was sent to a prison colony north of the Arctic Circle. Authorities said on Friday that he died after taking a walk. They added that all the necessary steps were taken to revive him but that they did not achieve "positive results."

Dmitry Peskov, the Russian presidential press secretary, said, "As far as we know, in accordance with all current rules, the Federal Penitentiary Service is conducting examinations, clarifications and so on."

He added that blaming Russian leaders for Navalny's death is "unacceptable."

Still, many are laying the blame at the very top of the government.

Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, responded to the news while attending the Munich Security Summit. She said, "I want Putin and everyone around him -- Putin's friends, his government -- to know that they'll bear responsibility for what they did to our country, my family and my husband."

Western leaders expressed their shock. US President Joe Biden said he was "not surprised" but "outraged." He added, "Russian authorities are going to tell their own story. Make no mistake -- make no mistake -- Putin is responsible for Navalny's death."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his frustration, saying, "Putin doesn't care who dies, as long as he retains his position. And that is why he must not keep anything."

Some Russians have turned out to pay their respects to Navalny. However, officials have warned them against staging mass rallies in Moscow.
A rights group says more than 100 people have already been taken into custody.