US intelligence clears Putin in Navalny's death, sparking debate

American intelligence agencies believe that Vladimir Putin probably did not order the murder of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in a penal colony above the Arctic Circle in February - reported the "Wall Street Journal", cited by the Politico website.

"WSJ" reported, citing persons familiar with the matter, that several American agencies – including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the State Department's intelligence unit – agree that Putin probably did not order Navalny's killing in mid-February.

This assessment "is based on numerous pieces of information, including classified intelligence data and an analysis of publicly known facts, including the timing of Navalny’s death and that it overshadowed Putin's re-election" – explained "WSJ". Navalny died a month before the so-called presidential elections in Russia, which were held from 15 to 17 March.

The US intelligence agencies have shared their findings with the intelligence services of some European countries, however, some European security officials "remain skeptical", pointing to the vast extent of Putin’s control over Russia and its special services - reported the newspaper.

It also recalled that Navalny’s associate, Leonid Volkov, commented on the death of the oppositionist with the words: "The idea that Putin was not informed and did not give his approval for the killing of Navalny is absurd".

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees American intelligence agencies, declined to comment.

Vladimir Putin denies having any involvement in Navalny's death. In March, he stated that a few days before the oppositionist's death, he agreed to exchange him for Russian citizens imprisoned in the US.