Russian opposition chief Alexei Navalny gestures throughout his trial at a Moscow courthouse on August 27, 2018.
VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP through Getty Pictures/AFP
cover caption
toggle caption
VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP through Getty Pictures/AFP
It’s haunting this week to learn phrases Alexi Navalny wrote for from a Russian jail colony above the Arctic Circle for his e book Patriot.
“I knew from the outset that I’d be imprisoned for all times,” he wrote, “both for the remainder of my life, or till the tip of the lifetime of this regime…”
The end of Alexi Navalny’s life got here a yr in the past this weekend, Feb. 16, 2024, in that jail the place he was sentenced for “extremism.” Alexi Navalny was 47 years outdated. He had two youngsters, Dasha and Zakhar, and was married to Yulia Navalnaya, who continues his work for the Anti-Corruption Basis.
If Alexi Navalny had stayed in Germany, the place he was evacuated for medical care after being poisoned in 2020, he would have been free to present interviews, publish TikTok movies, have a podcast, and ship outstanding speeches all over the world. As a substitute, he returned to Russia, and what he knew to be nearly sure imprisonment for opposing the Putin regime.
Navalny speaks eloquently of politics and democracy in “Patriot”, which was printed final fall. However studying the e book now, close to the anniversary of his demise in a chilly jail colony, you would possibly pause to see a letter in which you’ll glimpse his wit, and a heat love. He writes to Yulia on her birthday,
“I hate glass,” Alexi Navalny begins.
“As a result of for six months now, I’ve solely seen you thru glass. Within the courtroom, by means of glass. Throughout visits, by means of glass…
“And naturally, throughout visits we do this traditional factor everybody is aware of from the films…when everybody presses their hand to the glass on their facet and says one thing good into the phone. It is good, nevertheless it’s nonetheless solely glass we’re touching.
“And one other wonderful reality: comedy movies are much less humorous now. Does that occur with you?…
“Laughing collectively makes a humorous second 25 % funnier. Typically even 30 %.
“Yulia, babe, joyful birthday! I am keen on you. I miss you. Keep nicely and do not get discouraged…
“As for the glass, in the end we’ll soften it with the warmth of our palms. And comedies will likely be humorous once more. I really like you.”
Adoring phrases from Alexi Navalny, who died a yr in the past this weekend.
