Alexei Navalny - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Alexei Navalny is a Russian opposition leader, lawyer, and anti-corruption activist. He is one of the most prominent critics of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- 2. Navalny first gained national attention in Russia in the late 2000s through his blog, where he exposed corruption and government abuses.
- 3. In 2011, Navalny helped organize mass protests in Moscow against Putin's government, leading to his arrest and brief imprisonment.
- 4. Navalny ran for mayor of Moscow in 2013, finishing second with 27% of the vote. He was later barred from running for president in 2018 due to a criminal conviction that he and his supporters say was politically motivated.
- 5. In August 2020, Navalny fell ill on a flight from Siberia to Moscow and was hospitalized in Germany, where he was diagnosed with poisoning by a Novichok nerve agent, a Soviet-era chemical weapon. Navalny accused the Russian government of ordering the attack, which Putin denied.
- 6. Navalny returned to Russia in January 2021, despite the risk of arrest, and was immediately detained upon arrival. He was later sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for violating the terms of his probation from a previous conviction.
- 7. Navalny's arrest and imprisonment sparked widespread protests across Russia, with thousands of people taking to the streets to demand his release and protest against Putin's government.
- 8. Navalny's imprisonment has been condemned by Western governments and human rights organizations, who have called for his release and for an independent investigation into his poisoning.
- 9. Navalny is known for his sharp wit, fearless activism, and use of social media to mobilize support and expose corruption. He has a large following on YouTube and Twitter, where he regularly posts videos and updates on his activities.
- 10. Navalny's imprisonment has turned him into a symbol of resistance against Putin's authoritarian rule in Russia, and he remains a key figure in the country's opposition movement despite being behind bars.