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submitted 9 months ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/world@lemmy.world

Navalny’s friends knew he was willing to become a martyr if that’s what it took to stand up to Putin.

Alexei Navalny’s long struggle against President Putin began with a humorous blog and culminated in repeated demonstrations of his willingness to risk his own life. According to the Russian authorities on Friday, he has now died in prison.

Russia’s leading opposition voice has been silenced.

Other dissident figures went into exile or died in mysterious circumstances over the past decade, leaving Navalny as the last national figure with a dedicated following.

Though he had been arrested many times before, Navalny’s defining moment in the eyes of many Russians came after the attempt to assassinate him with Novichok. He recuperated in the sanctuary of a German hospital but chose to defy Putin and return to Russia in January 2021, knowing full well he would end up in prison.

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[-] Gbagginsthe3rd@aussie.zone 156 points 9 months ago

I always questioned why he went back to Russia. I thought he could have done so much more outside of a Russian prison. Intentionally in the middle of nowhere, cut off from his supporters and fellow Russians

But he loved his country and held steadfast in his principles. He is a greater man than many. Could you trust yourself on how you would act when tested the way he was.

[-] RootBeerGuy@discuss.tchncs.de 62 points 9 months ago

There have been examples of the past where martyrs did change the direction of history. Maybe he hoped it would be similar and I guess we are at the find out stage.

[-] agitatedpotato@lemmy.world 45 points 9 months ago

Even Lenin stayed out of Russia when the government set it sights on him and waited for a more oportune time to come back. Here's to hoping Martyrdom will change things, but Russians are very very used to things getting worse and just taking it on the chin.

[-] Impound4017@sh.itjust.works 10 points 9 months ago

Happy endings are banned in Slavic history

[-] ghostdoggtv@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

Fucking hell, when you put it that way...

[-] Daft_ish@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago

Yesterday it was Alexei standing up to tyranny. Tomorrow, maybe some else. If we're lucky, more and more.

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this post was submitted on 16 Feb 2024
1150 points (96.8% liked)

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