"Putin Mentions Navalny for First Time After Dubious Election Win"

Vladimir Putin mentioned Alexei Navalny's name for the first time in public just after declaring victory in the rigged Russian presidential elections, describing his death as a "sad event" and claiming he had agreed to a prisoner swap for Navalny before his death. Navalny's allies allege he was murdered, and Putin's comments have sparked fury among them, with calls for an international inquiry into Navalny's death. Critics view Putin's mention of Navalny's name as a sign of fear and insecurity, as the Kremlin had previously sought to suppress any disruption during the elections.