Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opponent Alexei Navalny, said on Monday that she would continue her husband's fight for a free Russia and urged her supporters to fight President Vladimir Putin with greater fury than ever before. Navalny's death last Friday deprives the Russian opposition of its most charismatic leader as Putin prepares for an election that will keep him in power until at least 2030. In a nine-minute video message full of anger, 47-year-old Navalny blames Putin for the death of the dissident, who had two children. The only response to such a crime, she continued during the recording, is to continue her late husband's work for a free and prosperous Russia. According to Navalnaya, the Russians want to live differently, even if there seems to be little hope.
“I want to live in a free Russia, I want to build a free Russia,” Navalnaya said in the video message titled “I will continue the work of Alexei Navalny.” “I ask you to be on my side,” he demands, referring to the Russian opponents, “I ask you to share the anger with me.” Anger, anger, hatred towards those who dared to do so, ours “To kill the future.” Navalnaya has accused the Russian authorities of hiding Navalny's body and waiting for traces of the nerve agent Novichok to disappear from his body.
Navalnaya always supported her husband in his fights against the Russian authorities and took part in his numerous court appearances. stood by his side at demonstrations and waited for his release from prison.
“Vladmir Putin killed my husband,” Navalnaya said. “By killing Alexei, Putin killed half of me: half of my heart and half of my soul.” “But I still have the other half,” he continued on camera, “and he tells me that I don't I have the right to give up.” I will continue the work of Alexei Navalni; I will continue to fight for our country.”
The Kremlin denied involvement in the opponent's death and said Western claims that Putin was responsible were unacceptable. The Russian president has warned that there will be a strong reaction if foreign powers try to interfere in the election. Navalny, 47, fell unconscious and died suddenly on Friday after a walk through the Wolf Polar prison colony in the Yamal-Nenets region of the Arctic, where he was serving a 30-year prison sentence.
Moscow announced this Monday that the investigation into the opponent's death was still ongoing.
Join EL PAÍS to follow all the news and read without restrictions.
Subscribe to
Follow all international information on Facebook and Xor in our weekly newsletter.