Putin says Russian Civil Rights Leader Stabbed Himself in Back 64 Times

RT, a news company funded by the Russian government, ran a news story on Saturday morning, reporting that Alexei Navalny, a prominent civil rights leader in Russia was found dead 13 miles from the Kremlin with 64 stab wounds in his back. According to a statement from the Kremlin, the civil rights leader was suffering from depression and killed himself by stabbing himself in the back 64 times with a Russian military issued knife that he stole from personnel during a prisoner transport.

Western media outlets are skeptical that Navalny killed himself, citing the flexibility and endurance required to stab oneself in the back 64 times.

Associates of Navalny reportedly told western media outlet the Associated Press that “Navalny was one of those people that couldn’t even reach the middle of his back while taking a shower. There is no way that he stabbed himself in the back.”

However, Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, criticized western media Saturday afternoon. Putin stated, “Navalny was depressed and mentally deranged. Anyone that rallies against the state and my government clearly has issues with the progress our great nation has made and should be put to dea…”