Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny may have been assassinated via a single lethal punch to the heart, according to exiled activist Vladimir Osechkin citing a penal colony insider.
In an interview with The Times newspaper, Osechkin said evidence of bruising on Navalny's body was consistent with the notorious 'one-punch' execution method formerly used by the Soviet KGB spy agency.
"It is an old technique of the KGB's special forces. They trained operatives to kill a man with one punch to the heart," Osechkin stated. He highlighted the presence of Russia's FSB security officers at the remote arctic prison camp as indication of Moscow's involvement.
"From my sources, this was a pre-planned special operation on orders from Moscow, as dismantling the cameras could not have occurred otherwise," he added.
Osechkin cast doubt on claims by Navalny's widow that he may have been poisoned again with Novichok nerve agent. Authorities would likely ensure no trace was left implicating Putin, he said.
There are also allegations Navalny was forced outside into extreme cold for up to four hours the day before his death. "I think they first weakened his body outside in freezing temperatures to slow blood circulation. Then it becomes very easy to quickly kill someone with experience," Osechkin claimed.
The single lethal strike is a stealth assassination method allowing Soviet agents to leave no obvious cause of death. Russian authorities have failed to adequately explain Navalny's sudden demise in custody on 17 February, initially citing a walk and feeling unwell.
Navalny's family continues being denied access to his body for two weeks. Supporters allege a state-ordered killing of Putin's most prominent critic, but officials maintain his death by natural causes.
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