Russia Sees Wave of Memorial Events as Navalny Supporters Mark Anniversary of His Imprisonment
Today, supporters of imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny are marking the anniversary of his imprisonment with memorial events across the country. Navalny, a vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin, was arrested on January 17, 2021, upon his return to Russia from Germany, where he had been recovering from a near-fatal poisoning.
The memorial events, which include rallies, pickets, and candlelight vigils, are being held in cities across Russia, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg. Supporters of Navalny are using the anniversary to draw attention to his ongoing imprisonment and to call for his release.
Navalny's imprisonment is widely seen as a politically motivated move by the Russian government to silence him. He was arrested at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport after returning from Germany, where he had been recovering from a poisoning attack that he blames on the Russian government.
Navalny was subsequently sentenced to two years and eight months in prison on charges of violating the terms of a suspended sentence related to a 2014 embezzlement conviction. His supporters and human rights groups have denounced the charges as trumped up and politically motivated.
The international community has widely condemned Navalny's imprisonment and called for his release. The European Union, the United States, and other Western countries have imposed sanctions on Russian officials and entities in response to Navalny's imprisonment and the broader crackdown on dissent in Russia.
In a statement marking the anniversary of Navalny's imprisonment, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said: "The European Union reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of Alexei Navalny and all those detained for exercising their fundamental rights."
In Russia, Navalny's supporters are facing a crackdown on dissent, with many facing arrest, fines, and other forms of harassment for their activism. Despite these challenges, many Russians are continuing to speak out in support of Navalny and to call for his release.
In a statement, Navalny's team said: "Today, we remember the day when Alexei Navalny was imprisoned on false charges. We will continue to fight for his freedom and for the freedom of all those who are imprisoned for their political views."
The anniversary of Alexei Navalny's imprisonment is a stark reminder of the ongoing crackdown on dissent in Russia. As supporters of Navalny mark this anniversary with memorial events across the country, they are sending a powerful message that they will not be silenced and that they will continue to fight for freedom and democracy in Russia.
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