Alexei Navalny’s death shocked the world. But that wasn’t surprising. The anti-corruption activist, described as President Vladimir Putin’s biggest critic, survived several attacks that left him nearly blind and poisoned with a nerve agent. At the time of his death, he was being held in harsh conditions in a Siberian prison.
Mr. Navalny appeared in court the day before his death, looking thin, but his supporters did not believe he was on the verge of collapse. The Russian government announced that he died of sudden death syndrome. But his family and friends say no matter the cause, one man is to blame.
The Guardian’s Moscow correspondent andrew rossexplains why Mr. Navalny took on Putin and why his message resonated with so many Russians and turned him into the country’s most important opposition politician.he says hannah moore Navalny has spoken of how his bravery in returning to Russia after falling into a coma from Novichok poisoning made his death inevitable.Russian journalist Evgenia Albats Navalny’s friends explain what’s behind this stance and why his most important message was “don’t be afraid.” Please resist.
Photo: Kostas Tsironis/EPA
