Alexei Navalny’s Struggle Against Putin: 10 Key Dates

The life of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was marked by defiance and resistance against the Kremlin’s authority. Here’s a chronological overview of Navalny’s journey…..READ ALSO

1. 2007: Anti-Corruption Activism
   Navalny begins his anti-corruption campaign by purchasing shares in state-owned oil companies to uncover evidence of corruption, which he exposes on his blog.
2. December 2011: Leadership in Election Protests
   Navalny establishes the Anti-Corruption Foundation and leads protests following the controversial parliamentary elections, rallying against alleged fraud by Putin’s United Russia party.
3. July 2013: Embezzlement Conviction
   Navalny is convicted of embezzlement in a timber deal in the Kirov region and is accused of defrauding the government, a charge he denies, asserting it’s politically motivated.
4. September 2013: Moscow Mayoral Bid
   Despite facing legal challenges, Navalny runs for mayor of Moscow and secures a strong second-place finish, challenging the Kremlin-backed incumbent.
5. March 2017: Expose on Dmitry Medvedev
   Navalny releases a video detailing Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s alleged corruption, sparking public outrage and protests across Russia.
6. December 2018: Barred from Presidential Election
   Navalny is prohibited from running for president against Putin due to his prior embezzlement conviction, leading him to call for a boycott of the election.
7. August 2020: Poisoning Incident
   Navalny falls critically ill after being poisoned with Novichok, a nerve agent, an act he accuses Putin of orchestrating, which the Kremlin denies.
8. January-February 2021: Arrest and Sentencing
   Upon returning to Russia from medical treatment in Germany, Navalny is arrested, leading to widespread protests. He is subsequently sentenced to prison for breaching probation terms.
9. August 2023: Extended Sentence
   Navalny’s prison sentence is extended to nine years following new charges of embezzlement and contempt of court. Later, he receives an additional 19-year sentence on extremism charges.
10. February 16, 2024: Death in Custody
    Navalny dies in an Arctic prison colony, sparking international condemnation and raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his death.

Throughout his life, Navalny remained a prominent figure in Russian opposition, challenging Putin’s authority and advocating for political change despite facing persecution and imprisonment.