Navalny Allies Say He Was About to Be Freed in a Prisoner Exchange

Aides to a Russian opposition leader claimed that he was almost freed in a prisoner exchange with the West before his recent death. Western officials were reportedly in advanced talks with the Kremlin to release the opposition leader and two Americans from Russian prison. Germany would have released the man convicted of killing a former Chechen separatist fighter in exchange. The details of the alleged deal have not been independently confirmed, and there has been no official comment from the involved parties.