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The US has warned Russia there will be "consequences" if the opposition activist Alexei Navalny dies in jail. The UK, France, Germany and the European Union have also expressed their concern over his treatment.

Navalny's doctors say he "will die within the next few days" if not given urgent medical attention. The 44-year-old began a hunger strike on March 31st to demand proper medical treatment for acute back pain and numbness in his legs and hands.

His team have announced a new nationwide protest to take place across Russia this Wednesday evening.

Leonid Volkov is chief of staff for Mr Navalny.

"Alexei Navalny is more of a risk alive than dead, and that is exactly why we urge the West to change the balance of those risks, to change the balance of upsides and downsides for Putin.... that's pure logic, more pressure needs to be applied and we're asking for, of course, sanctions."

(Photo: Alexei Navalny attends an appeal hearing in February. Credit: Reuters)