New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putins staunch critic and prominent opposition figure, Alexei Anatolievich Navalny, passed away on Friday, as confirmed by the prison authority where he was serving his sentence. Navalny reportedly fell ill and collapsed during a walk within the prison premises, leading to his untimely demise.Questions surrounding Navalnys deathNavalnys sudden death has sparked inquiries, especially with the circulation of a video on social media purportedly showing him participating in a court hearing via video link on February 15. Reports indicate Navalny appeared to be in good health during this appearance.Russian opposition leader Navalny felt sick during a walk, fainted and died quickly after that, as per Russian prison services statement. https://t.co/6D5WU6GcJn pic.twitter.com/XEsPd4BX1u— Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) February 16, 2024Who is Alexei NavalnyAlexei Navalny, aged 47, stood as one of the most ardent opponents of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He was serving his sentence in a prison located approximately 40 miles north of the Arctic Circle, where he had been sentenced to a 19-year term under a special regime.A lawyer by profession, Navalny emerged as a prominent figure in Russian politics, championing anti-corruption initiatives and advocating for political reforms. He founded the Anti-Corruption Foundation and led the Russia of the Future party. Navalnys activism extended to organising anti-government protests and challenging President Putins authority.Yesterdays video of Alexei Navalny at the Kovrov court hearing. Alexei was cheerful and healthyVideo: SOTAvision // Antonina Favorskaya pic.twitter.com/OQGnGYYrVZ— SOTA English (@sotavisioneng) February 16, 2024Navalnys contributions and recognitionsNavalnys unwavering commitment to human rights earned him recognition globally. He was awarded the Sakharov Prize and hailed as a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International for his relentless efforts in exposing corruption and advocating for political transparency.Through his various media platforms, Navalny and his team shed light on government corruption, electoral fraud, and human rights violations in Russia. His campaigns and investigative reports garnered widespread attention, contributing significantly to the 2011–2012 Russian protests.Moments before Alexei Navalny was sentenced to prison today for surviving a Russian state assassination attempt, he drew a heart for his wife on the glass cage where he was being held.Read his court speech here ➡️ https://t.co/Up3z2Vb3JB pic.twitter.com/P1TuEFBS4i— Minh Ngo (@minhtngo) February 3, 2021Earlier adversity: Navalnys ordeal with poisoning, imprisonmentIn 2020, Navalny survived an assassination attempt when he was poisoned with Novichok, allegedly by Russias FSB security force. Following intensive medical treatment in Germany, he recovered and returned to Russia in January 2021, only to be arrested for violating parole terms. This marked the beginning of a series of imprisonments, culminating in Navalny being sentenced to over 30 years in prison.Legacy and impactAlexei Navalnys legacy as a fearless advocate for justice and accountability will endure, leaving an indelible mark on Russian politics and inspiring countless individuals worldwide to stand against corruption and authoritarianism.
