Before Navalny’s death, German, American and Russian authorities discussed exchanging Russian opposition leader Oleksii Navalny for Vadym Krasikov, a Russian murderer serving a life sentence in Germany, German newspaper Bild reported on Sunday, citing sources, the Kyiv Independent reported.

Oleg NavalnyPhoto: Handout / AFP / Profimedia

Navalny, the main opponent of the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, died on February 16 in the colony of the city of Harp, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District. He was convicted in several criminal cases fabricated as part of the Kremlin’s crackdown on dissent.

World leaders blamed Putin for his death. Opinions differ as to whether Navalny’s death was caused by harsh prison conditions or a deliberate murder.