A man named Alexei Navalny, who was against the leader of Russia, Vladimir Putin, passed away recently. However, he became unconscious and died on Friday in a place called the ‘Polar Wolf’ Arctic penal colony. However, Authorities have given a very long sentence to Navalny. He was 47 years old and worked as a lawyer.
The death of Navalny is a big loss for the people in Russia who did not agree with the leadership of Putin. Putin is getting ready for an election that will let him stay in charge until at least 2030. With Navalny gone, the opposition in Russia does not have as strong a leader anymore.
Western Leaders on Navalny’s Death
Western leaders claimed that the death of Navalny was due to the Russian government.
US President Joe Biden stated, “Putin is to blame for Navalny’s death. What happened to Navalny reveals how harsh Putin can be.”
French President Emmanuel Macron also spoke up. He said, “In Russia today, people who speak out are punished severely even killed. I feel sad for the family of Navalny, friends, and the Russian people.”
The French Foreign Minister, Stéphane Séjourné, said Navalny lost his life. Because he resisted the oppression in Russia. He believes the death of Navalny shows how Vladimir Putin’s government is.
Navalny’s Poisoning and Return to Russia
Navalny was a popular activist against corruption. He was put in jail three years ago. However, after he came back to Russia from Germany, he went for treatment after being poisoned with a nerve agent. Moreover, he blamed Putin for the poisoning.
Anti-Corruption Activism in Russia
Navalny said that Russia might have big problems in the future. Because Putin made a system where he is the boss, and it is not very strong. He said Putin depends a lot on corruption. However, the Kremlin, which is from Putin’s government. She said Navalny’s claims about corruption and money of Putin were not true.
The Kremlin’s Response:
Russian officials say Navalny is an extremist. He works for the CIA, a U.S. agency, and wants to create disorder in Russia. Moreover, they think the CIA wants to control Russia like a puppet and make it follow the West.
The day before he died, Navalny looked through a window with bars on it. He laughed and made jokes about not having much money left and the judge’s salary. Furthermore, he told the judge he would send them his bank account number. So they could help him out with their big salary as a federal judge. Moreover, he was running low on money and joked that the judge could “warm up” his bank account for him.
Role in Russian Protests and Opposition
In December 2011, people protested against Putin, thinking the election was unfair. Among the protest leaders, Navalny was the first to be arrested.
In an interview in Moscow that same year, reporters asked Navalny about his fear of going against Putin’s government.
Navalny responded, “That’s the difference between me and you. You are afraid, and I am not afraid. I know there’s danger, but why should I be scared?”
Family and Leaders React to Navalny’s Death
Navalny’s mother, Lyudmila, shared on Facebook, as quoted by Novaya Gazeta newspaper. She said, when she last saw her son on February 12th, he was alive, healthy, and happy.
Navalny’s wife, Yulia Navalnaya, unexpectedly spoke at the Munich Security Conference. She said, “If this is true, I want Putin and all his friends, his government, to know they will be responsible for what they did to our country, my family, and my husband. That day will come very soon.”
In Moscow, Russians stood in line in the snow to place flowers in memory of Navalny at a memorial for victims of Soviet prison camps. Meanwhile, videos shared on social media showed this happening. Moreover, they also laid flowers in other cities, despite recent tough actions against any signs of disagreement with Putin.
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