Merkel told Putin to his face that Navalny’s imprisonment is unacceptable, calling for the opposition leader’s release

• Angela Merkel told Vladimir Putin on Friday to release jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.
• Her demand came on the one-year anniversary of Navalny's near-fatal poisoning.
• This month Navalny was charged with new crimes that could extend his sentence.
• See more stories on Insider's business page.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Friday for Russian President Vladimir Putin to release Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny from prison on the one-year anniversary of his near-fatal poisoning.

"I demanded from the Russian President that he free Navalny," Merkel said after talks with Putin, who denied that Navalny was behind bars for his political activity, according to France 24.

The two world leaders met for almost three hours on Friday, Russian media reported.

Navalny this month was charged with with new crimes that could extend his sentence by three years, France 24 said.

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.