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Alexei Navalny, a leading opposition leader in Russia, passed away on February 16. His death sent shock waves around the world, leading to criticism and calls for international sanctions and accountability from international leaders and human rights activists.
Who was Alexei Navalny? Aged 47, Navalny rose to prominence as a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the last 10 years, and exposed corruption and advocated for democratic reforms.
Last year, Navalny was sentenced to 19 years in prison in what many believe was just a way to stop him from speaking out. Alexei returned to Russia in January 2021 after being poisoned in August 2020. He was immediately arrested upon arrival in Moscow.
Navalny aimed to challenge Putin in elections, but was unable to run for elections in 2018. Another anti-war candidate, Boris Nadezhdin, was also barred from the election. He joins the list of many other leaders who opposed Putin, including Boris Nemtsov and Yevgeny Prigozhin, who have also passed away.
At the Munich Security Conference, His wife, Julia Navalnaya, called for an international investigation into her husband's death and asked the international committee to hold the Russian government accountable.
She said “but if it's true I know Putin I know all his allies all his friends all his government know they will be responsible for what they have done and this day will come sooner than you think”
Close associates of Navalny, Ivan Zhdanov, also raised similar concerns, suggesting that Navalny's death was not accidental. Navalny's mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, refuted condolences, insisting that she saw her son alive and well just days before his sudden illness.
The reason provided by the Prison Authorities is that Navalny became unwell after a walk on Friday in the prison region. Despite the quick response of an emergency medical team, he did not survive. An investigation into his death is underway by the prison service.
The Aftermath of Navalny's death?
The circumstances surrounding Navalny's death raise serious doubts about the Russian prison system and its treatment of political prisoners. Navalny was kept in isolation in a cell for over 280 days as he was found guilty of extremism, which could have kept him in jail until he was 70. Navalny's prolonged solitary confinement and alleged lack of access to proper medical care have been cited as contributing factors to his deteriorating health. Human rights activists, including Eva Merkacheva, have criticised the conditions of Navalny's confinement, pointing out violations of international standards.
Large protests erupted in Moscow and other cities. Lots of people in Moscow visited a monument for political repression victims near the old KGB headquarters. However, the government told people not to join big protests. Some were arrested in Moscow and other cities.
Leaders from around the world have condemned Putin's regime and called for justice for Navalny. French President Emmanuel Macron characterised Navalny as a fighter against Russian oppression.
US President Joe Biden said” what has happened is yet more proof of Putin's brutality.”
UK foreign minister David Cameron said “we should hold Putin accountable for this and no one should be in any doubt about the Dreadful nature of Putin's regime in Russia after what has just happened.”
In the end, many questions remain unanswered about Navalny's death, leaving people worldwide wondering what really happened and what it means for Russia.
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