(NationRise.com) – Russian critic of President Vladimir Putin, Alexei Navalny, recorded a chilling message for his country before his mysterious death on February 16th.
He warned Russians that his death would be a sign that their movement was strong enough to strike fear among Russia’s authoritarian leaders. He also reminded the opposition that they’re stronger than they realize and said they’re “not allowed to give up.” He then called that part “very obvious.”
Navalny was explicitly asked what message he would have for Russians if he were ever killed for his criticisms of Putin. His response indicated that he believed the government would likely expect his murder to send a message to other dissidents in Russia.
A spokeswoman for Navalny, Kira Yarmysh, confirmed her team’s belief that Navalny was murdered in a post published to X on February 17th. Presidents Biden and Zelenskyy echoed that belief shortly after. He was incarcerated at Siberia’s Polar Wolf colony during the time of his death.
Navalny was an outspoken critic of the Russian government and President. He ran for public office in numerous elections to help influence change. His campaigns were suspended on claims of embezzlement, a move that was largely considered politically motivated. His wife publicly promised to continue his work.
An attempted assassination was made against Navalny in 2020. He became very sick during a flight from Siberia to Moscow, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing. Initially, Russian doctors were reluctant to say that he was poisoned and transport him to a better-equipped hospital in another country.
However, he was later transferred to Berlin, where doctors confirmed that he was poisoned with a nerve agent. He spent weeks in a coma as doctors struggled to keep him alive.
Navalny was arrested almost immediately after returning to Russia in 2021. He was convicted of extremism and sentenced to nearly twenty years in prison. Supporters repeated claims that his conviction was politically charged and raised concerns on several occasions about his treatment.
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