Navalny has been in prison since 2021 (Photo: Getty)

Missing Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was found alive weeks after his disappearance from a Russian prison.

The Russian opposition leader, described as the man Putin fears most, was transferred to a penal colony in northwestern Siberia two weeks after his disappearance, his team said.

Mr. Nalvany’s spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, wrote further

Navalny’s lawyers lost contact with him on December 11, raising concerns among his supporters and family.

He has spent time in penal colonies near Moscow in the past (Photo: AP)

He was sentenced to 19 years in prison in August after being found guilty of creating an extremist community, financing extremist activities and numerous other crimes.

Political activist Bill Browder recently expressed concerns about his well-being to Metro.co.uk.

Earlier this month, the Russian opposition leader’s team raised concerns after he collapsed in his prison cell in what was described as a “serious health incident.”

Aides had expected Navalny – described as the man Putin “fears most” – would be transferred to a tougher penal colony where Russian criminals and repeat offenders are often sent.

Bill Browder, CEO of Hermitage Capital, had pushed for Putin to be brought to justice following the deaths of not only his former lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, but also Alexander Litvinenko, Boris Nemstov and countless other Russians who spoke out against the Kremlin.

Mr Browder told Metro.co.uk that Mr Navalny’s disappearance was alarming and disturbing, adding: “At best he will be transferred to another prison – at worst something catastrophic has happened to him. “

Mr Navalny, who is held in solitary confinement in horrific prisons, revealed in a video interview earlier this year that he had lost 18 pounds in less than a month.

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