Alexei Navalny’s spokeswoman confirms his death and calls for return of body

The death of Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader, has been confirmed by his representatives after international leaders condemned Vladimir Putin for the demise of his once most significant political challenger. Subscribe to Guardian News on YouTube ► Navalny’s lawyer and mother arrived at the Salekhard morgue on Saturday, Yarmysh said in a later statement, adding that Navalny’s body was not there despite assurances from the colony stating otherwise. The death of the jailed Kremlin critic drew swift condemnation from international leaders, senior western officials and Russian opposition figures on Friday, who placed blame firmly on Russia and called the death a ’further sign of Putin’s brutality’. The Guardian publishes independent journalism, made possible by supporters. Contribute to The Guardian today ► Sign up to the Guardian’s free new daily newsletter, First Edition ► Website ► Facebook ► Twitter ► Instagram ► The Guardian on YouTube:  The Guardian ► Guardian Australia ► Guardian Football ► Guardian Sport ► Guardian Live ► #AlexeiNavalny #Putin #Russia