Supporters Commemorate Alexei Navalny One Year After Death

On the first anniversary of Alexei Navalny's death, supporters gathered at his grave in Moscow, braving freezing temperatures and the risk of arrest to honor the prominent opposition leader. Navalny died on February 16, 2024, in an Arctic penal colony, where he was serving a lengthy sentence on charges widely regarded as politically motivated. European leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, condemned the Kremlin, asserting that President Vladimir Putin bears 'ultimate responsibility' for Navalny's death, which they framed as a result of his fight for democracy in Russia. Navalny's widow, Yulia Navalnaya, also commemorated his legacy, calling for continued resistance against the regime and the remembrance of Navalny's vision for a free Russia. Supporters are in the process of selecting a new memorial design for Navalny’s grave, symbolizing both fragility and resilience. The events highlighted the ongoing repression of dissent in Russia and the enduring impact of Navalny's activism.