Last Updated: February 16, 2024, 18:05 IST
Policemen detain Russian opposition chief Alexei Navalny throughout a rally in Moscow, Russia June 12, 2019. (Reuters File Photo)
Learn about Alexei Navalny, Russia’s opposition chief who confronted imprisonment, poisoning, and political persecution for his anti-corruption activism
Alexei Navalny, probably the most outstanding critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin who staged huge anti-Kremlin protests, died in jail Friday, Russia’s jail company mentioned. He was 47.
In an announcement, the Federal Penitentiary Service mentioned that Navalny felt unwell after a stroll on Friday and misplaced consciousness. Navalny’s press secretary Kira Yarmysh mentioned his group had not been knowledgeable of his loss of life. “Alexei’s lawyer is now flying to Kharp,” the place his jail colony is, she mentioned in a submit on social media.
Who was Alexei Navalny?
Alexei Navalny emerged as a outstanding determine inside Russia’s opposition, revered by supporters. He had been behind bars since January 2021, when he returned to Moscow after recuperating in Germany from nerve agent poisoning that he blamed on the Kremlin.
Navalny’s journey to prominence started along with his exposés on corruption inside Russia’s elite, utilizing blogs to make clear systemic points. Despite going through expulsion from political events for his nationalist views, Navalny persevered in his mission to problem the established order. Before his arrest, he campaigned towards official corruption, organized main anti-Kremlin protests and ran for public workplace.
Confronting the Kremlin
Navalny’s activism towards Putin’s authorities led to quite a few detentions and prosecutions, all of which he contends have been politically motivated. The Kremlin has persistently dismissed Navalny’s allegations of corruption and portrayed him as an extremist puppet managed by Western intelligence companies.
Despite going through authorized challenges and authorities opposition, Navalny remained steadfast in his pursuit of political reform and accountability. He continued to boost his voice through varied channels even after he was imprisoned.
Poisoning and International Fallout
The tried assassination of Navalny in August 2020 shocked the world, as he fell critically in poor health from a nerve agent poisoning. Following intensive medical therapy in Germany, Navalny returned to Russia to proceed his activism, regardless of the inherent dangers.
Investigations into the poisoning implicated Russia’s FSB safety service, although Putin dismissed these allegations. Navalny, who was serving a 19-year sentence on fees of extremism, was moved in December from his former jail within the Vladimir area of central Russia to the very best safety degree of prisons in Russia, above the Arctic Circle.
