The spectacular news came out in a brief statement from Russian prison worship a year ago: Opposition leaders Alexei Navalny is dead In the colony of an Arctic prison where he was sentenced to prison.
Since Navalny died at the age of 47, Russian opposition parties have struggled to find a position with President Vladimir Putin.
It was banned from home without Putin’s fierce enemies and operated by exiles abroad, making it impossible to form a united front and a clear plan of action against the Kremlin. Instead, rival groups trade in some accusations that are seen as efforts to discredit each other and compete for influence.
Navalny’s death was a blow to hope
The image, created from a video released by Russian Federation Criminal Services via Sotavision, is a opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who served a 19-year sentence at Kharp in Russia for about 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles) It shows that leader Alexei Navalny is on the scene. ) Northeast of Moscow, February 15, 2024. This was the last time he had anyone outside the prison alive. (Russian Federation Prison via Sotavision via AP)
Navalny’s death was a “point of no return,” said Oleg Ivanov, a supporter who broke into Ukraine in 2022 and left Russia after living in Los Angeles.
“Alexei has a meaningful leader that Russia can at least potentially and hypothetically unite all those who are trying to change something in our country, our lives. It was my only hope,” Ivanov said in an interview with the Associated Press. .
Ivanov, who joined the mass protests that erupted across Russia in 2017, said since Navalny’s death, “I’m worried that somehow no one can resist.”
On the Sunday anniversary of his death, Navalny’s tomb at Bolisovsky Cemetery in Moscow was covered with flowers and cards, holding herds to pay tribute to him. Western diplomats, including those of the US, UK and the European Union, have also come to honor his memory.
Navalny’s parents were greeted with applause and a call of “Thank you!” From hundreds of people.
“We are in mourning. We were in mourning last year and we are mourning today. We really miss him,” she said, fearing retaliation. Muscovite, who gave only the name of Anastasia, said: “There’s no one like him anymore.”
Navany is the second opposition leader whose sudden death shocked Russia and the world. In February 2015, prominent politician Boris Nemtsov was shot on a bridge near the Kremlin a few days before Navalny and others led a massive anti-Putin rally.
Millions have seen his anti-corruption video
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny will appear on television screens during a court hearing in Moscow, Russia on January 28, 2021 (AP photo, file)
Navalny’s vision of “the beautiful Russia of the future,” where leaders are free and highly elected, has been tamed by corruption and democratic institutions at work, and he has gained widespread support in a vast country.
His charisma and third-centric humor attracted young, energetic activists to his side. According to his memoir “The Patriot,” the team, which resembles a “fantastic startup” rather than a secret revolutionary operation, was released eight months after his death.
Together they created a colorful, professionally produced video exposing corruption by government officials. Tens of thousands attended the rally, even as millions saw them on YouTube and authorities cracked more violently on the opposition.
Attack with dye and then poisoned
Police, Correct, Seeing people walking towards Bolisovskoye Cemetery for the funeral of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow, Russia, March 1, 2024 (AP photo, file)
As Navalny was aiming for public office, authorities responded by filing multiple criminal charges against him, his allies and even relatives. He was regularly imprisoned and was physically attacked by Kremlin supporters.
He finished second in the Moscow mayor’s race in 2013 amid allegations of voting rigging. In 2017 he announced plans to run for president, recruiting local activists and establishing a vast network of regional offices across the country. When he was ultimately forbidden from running, he left those offices open, expanding his reach to 11 Russian time zones.
In 2020, Navalny was poisoned in the nerve agent attacks he blamed the Kremlin, constantly denying his involvement. His family and allies fought to fly him to Germany for treatment and recovery. Five months later he returned to Russia, where he He was arrested soon And was imprisoned The past three years of his life.
But even behind the bar, incredibly harsh conditions of constant pressure and surveillance, Navalny has found a way to relay the message. His popular social media accounts were regularly updated with ironic vignettes about prison life and political statements.
Throngs attended his funeral at the show of rebellion
Supporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny wore President Vladimir Putin’s mask on a replica of Kremlin enemy prison cells in a square near the Louvre in Paris on March 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla, file)
Authorities condemned Navalny’s death on February 16, 2024, when he announced the natural cause. This is a sudden spike in blood pressure and chronic disease. His family and allies refuse to do so, claiming that he was killed on orders from the Kremlin – accusing the official of denial.
Tens of thousands of people Attended his funeral On March 1st, at Bolisovsky Cemetery, a rare show of rebellion in a country where street rally and even single pickets are often quickly arrested. For the next few days, people brought flowers to his grave.
At the cemetery on Sunday, Navalny’s mother, Ludmila, once again called for the person responsible for his death to be brought to justice.
“The whole world knows who ordered it (it) but we hope that the people who conveyed it are also known,” she told reporters.
Longtime ally Vladimir Ashulfkov described Navalny as “a political figure who fundamentally defined the generation of Russians over the past 15 years.”
“While he lived even from prison, he was speaking out against the war and Putin’s tyranny,” Aschulkov told the London Associated Press.
Putin’s exiled enemy faces “dark times”
Yulia Navalnaya, Centre and Russian opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza, right and Ilya Yasin lifted their arms after speaking during a demonstration under the slogan. Stop the war! Freedom for political prisoners! ” in Berlin, Germany on November 17th, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, file)
His widow, Julia Navalnayavowed to continue his fight. She recorded regular video addresses with her supporters, defended Putin and Russians against his war in Ukraine, and met Western leaders and top officials.
“We know exactly what we are fighting for. The future Russia that Alexei dreamed of – free, peaceful, beautiful – is possible. She celebrates the year since her husband’s death. He said in a video released on Sunday.
Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation continues to expose Russian corruption with colorful videos, denounces Putin and war in Ukraine and organizes occasional protests overseas.
Landmarks East and West Prisoners Swap Other major rebels, such as Ilya Yasin and Vladimir Kara Muruza, who were released in August, have pledged to reinvigorate the opposition movement that is in motion with Navalny’s death. But so far, they have not surpassed meetings and several rallies with Western officials and supporters in exile.
Ashulfov describes the current situation in Russia and Ukraine as “dark times” and “difficult times.”
However, he points out that Navalny has experienced many difficulties and pressures in his life.
“His advice and motivation for all of us should not be sitting still. Do something to change the situation and prepare for change,” he said.
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London of Associated Press journalist Kwiyeon HA contributed.
