Russian President Vladimir Putin in an interview with NBC News would not guarantee his most prominent critic, Alexei Navalny, would leave prison alive. 

NBC News’ Keir Simmons asked Putin if he was willing to “personally ensure that Alexei Navalny will leave prison alive?” 

The Russian leader responded, “Look — such decisions in this country are not made by the president. They’re made by the court whether or not to set somebody free. As far as the health, all individuals who are in prison, that is something that the administration of the specific prison or penitentiary establishment is responsible for.”

Putin said that Navalny will not be treated differently than other people in the Russian prison system.