16-2-2024 (MOSCOW) Alexei Navalny, a prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin and a key figure in Russia’s opposition movement, has died at the age of 47, according to state media. Navalny’s untimely demise brings an end to his relentless fight against corruption and the Kremlin, despite surviving multiple poisoning attempts.
The country’s prison service confirmed the news of Navalny’s passing, stating that he became unconscious after a walk in penal colony No. 3. Despite immediate medical intervention, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. Navalny’s death leaves Russia’s opposition movement, which has faced years of harassment and prosecution, without a clear leader. With Navalny’s passing, all of Putin’s most prominent critics are either deceased, imprisoned, or in exile.
Born in 1976 near Moscow, Navalny initially pursued a career as a lawyer and economist before entering politics in 2008. He gained widespread recognition as Russia’s most outspoken Kremlin critic through his investigations into corruption targeting top members of the Russian elite. His exposés, such as the revelation of former President and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s extravagant lifestyle, sparked mass protests.
In 2021, Navalny’s investigation into a luxurious “secret palace” allegedly owned by Putin triggered widespread outrage across Russia. Despite facing numerous obstacles, including a 2014 embezzlement conviction that prevented him from running against Putin in the 2018 presidential election, Navalny remained steadfast in his activism.
Navalny survived a poisoning attempt in August 2020, which he directly attributed to Putin. His family’s insistence led to his evacuation to Germany for treatment and recovery. The Kremlin denied any involvement in the attack, further straining Russia’s relations with Western governments.
In early 2021, Navalny made the courageous decision to return to Russia and was immediately arrested upon landing, facing charges related to his previous conviction. He was subsequently sentenced to 2 ½ years in prison for violating parole. His arrest sparked nationwide rallies in support of his cause, resulting in thousands of detentions.
Throughout his imprisonment, Navalny continued to challenge Putin through interviews, statements issued by his lawyers, and by exposing the realities of the Russian penitentiary system. Amnesty International designated him a prisoner of conscience, and governments around the world called for his release.
Navalny is survived by his wife, Yulia, and their two children, Daria and Zahar.
The death of Navalny, a prominent figure in Russia’s opposition movement, signifies a significant turning point in the country’s political landscape.
