We have all heard the news. Alexei Navalny is dead. Nobody apart from The Russian State doubts that he was killed by The Russian State. He was a thorn in Putin's side and so Navalny was killed. Ultimately, it is as simple as that.
Intelligent, brave and charismatic, Navalny represented hope for a new Russia, a better Russia, a Russia in which ordinary Russians could be free and optimistic - instead of suffering and keeping schtum under the brutal dictatorship of the widow maker - Vladimir Putin.
Navalny didn't need to die. He could have claimed sanctuary in the west but after recovering from a botched novichok assassination attempt, he returned to his home country in January 2021 and was promptly arrested. He was then of course on the inevitable road to martyrdom. It was just a matter of time.
The Russian authorities have still not released his body as they try to cover up their sins. Perhaps they will never release it and in the meantime they clear up the floral tributes that have been laid in sweet memory of Alexei Navalny.
Of course, he said many things, including this:
"All evil needs to triumph is the inaction of good people"
Let us hope that he did not die in vain and that one day Putin and his ilk will be long gone as Russia begins to blossom in the healing light of freedom and hope echoing these words from another legendary freedom fighter who also gave his life for a righteous cause... "I’ve been to the mountaintop … I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land."
Alexi Navalny with his wife Yulia, daughter Darya and son Zakhar
He was a better human than I would have been under those circumstances. I don't know if I would die for my beliefs. The world is worse now, without him in it.
ReplyDeleteThe frustrating thing is that because Putin controls Russian media, millions of ordinary Russians will not know about Navalny's murder by The Russian State.
DeleteHe was gutsy to go back to Russia when he knew the possibilities. Do you think we'll ever see a free Russia?
ReplyDeleteWhen Putin dies, it will be interesting to watch what happens.
DeleteVery brave but rather foolish to return to Russia. He could have done better and survived in exile, where he would a popular opposition leader and theoretically untouchable (Just be careful about sitting on park benches and beware of men with sharp looking umbrella tips). I think the Russian State knows very well how he died, even if they don't admit so.
ReplyDeleteI feel especially sorry for his wife and children. He could have lived for them and who knows, perhaps his martyrdom will only have a small impact on the course of modern Russia.
Delete
ReplyDeleteSometimes when you see Putin at his large table, keeping well away from everyone else, one wonders why doesn't someone get rid of him. He rules as a wretched dictator and good honest people have to die. Alexi Navalny's family are now bereft.
Putin does not deserve to live.
DeleteI continue to hope that Vlad will soon die a horrible death and that awful war will be over.
ReplyDeleteI hope it will be as simple as that.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am sure that news will bring comfort to Yulia and her children.
DeleteHow people suffer under those who rule for their own power, it's happening around our world, living here, it's hard to imagine how hard life must be. I find it strange how every other nation looks on and on the surface does very little, with Putin who would love a fight it any intervention, would probably start another world war.
ReplyDelete"Deeds Not Words" was the motto of a secondary school that I visited in South Africa. Putin's motto would probably be "Cruelty Not Kindness".
DeleteIf Julian Assange is extradited, indeed if he is not freed immediately, it makes Britain and the United States no better than Putin's Russia.
ReplyDeleteJulian Assange has been treated like a rabid dog but he was just reporting uncomfortable truths. He has suffered enough. It's way past time to set him free.
DeleteA very brave man. Sunak doesn't have a clue and Trump and Biden are far too old to be world leaders.
ReplyDeleteWhere is God when you need him? "Gone Fishing" as usual.
DeleteI have very mixed thoughts on martyrdom, knowing full well that my opinions mean nothing at all.
ReplyDeleteI think you wrote an excellent tribute here though.
Martyrs cannot fight.
DeleteAnd the world stands by and watches, or even worse he who shall not be named encourages him.
ReplyDeleteAnother good reason not to vote for that hideous draft dodging egomaniac.
DeleteThis is horrible and sad, but not unexpected. I'm with Thelma in wondering why someone doesn't take Putin out. The whole world would be a better place instantly.
ReplyDeleteI worry about the possibility of a replica toad emerging from the shadows to replace Ras Putin.
DeleteHow many more will be sacrificed by that dreadful regime? Alas, at times like these it's often better to remember the old adage - "Better the devil you know, than the one you don't". We know the devil, although we are powerless to do anything about him.
ReplyDeleteThat concerns me too Carol. It may be pure wishful thinking that if Putin is ousted democracy will automatically follow. It could be another monster instead.
Delete😥
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you do those emojis.
DeletePutin is despicable and I hope Tucker Carlson is shitting his pants.
ReplyDeletePutin controlled that interview from beginning to end. This is not journalism.
DeleteI didn’t realise he was so young
ReplyDelete47 years old. That's all.
DeleteIt is tempting to say that Navalny should have just stayed safely in exile but would his family - extended family included - have been safe, would they have been allowed to join him, what would be the other price he would pay by staying away? I mull these things over as I mourn a brave man.
ReplyDeleteHe must have known that he was going back to his death but I suspect that we know more about it than ordinary Russians.
DeleteDaily Telegraph cartoonist Matt has a takeaway on this in his Feb 21 drawing:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/matt-cartoons-february-2024/
ReplyDeleteNot sure if this will be visible?? Tried to put an image into this comment but defeated by Android on my smartphone...
Thanks Will. I got to see the cartoon you referred to.
DeleteI can't imagine how much courage it took for him to return to Russia, knowing what probably awaited him.
ReplyDelete