Profile In Focus | Alexei Navalny Part 2 (January 2014 - December 2015)
Russia Is A Terrorist State: Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Profile In Focus | Alexei Navalny Part 2 (January 2014 - December 2015)
“On February 26, 2012, a rally for fair elections took place in Moscow. Throughout the Garden Ring, people stood and held hands. Passing cars greeted them with horns. According to the organizers, the number of participants was over 30,000 people” by Evgeniy Isaev under CC BY 2.0.
In January 2014, the world turned its attention to the Sochi Olympics, an event that showcased Russia's grandeur under President Vladimir Putin's rule. Despite criticism from international media, Putin was hailed as a strong leader and the face of a resurgent Russia. However, the Games were not without controversy, with concerns about corruption and human rights violations.
Alexei Navalny, a fierce critic of Putin and an influential opposition leader, continued to challenge the government. In February 2014, Navalny was placed under house arrest and had his internet access restricted by a court order. This move aimed to silence his dissenting voice and limit his ability to communicate with his supporters and the public. The international community, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, reported on the court's decision and the restrictions imposed on Navalny.
As Navalny faced house arrest, Putin's power and influence were widely discussed. An op-ed contributor to The New York Times proposed various strategies to punish Putin for his actions and assertiveness. POLITICO published an article titled "Vladimir the Great," examining the increasing consolidation of power in Putin's hands and his image as a strong leader.
Throughout 2014, Navalny faced ongoing harassment from the Russian authorities. In June, Russian police searched his home, intensifying the pressure on him and his activism. Meanwhile, the media spotlight also shone on other opposition figures, such as the feminist punk rock group Pussy Riot, who gained international attention for their protests against Putin's regime.
In December 2014, Navalny faced another significant challenge when prosecutors demanded a 10-year jail sentence for him, accusing him of various crimes. The case against Navalny garnered attention from global media outlets, including The Guardian, The New York Times, and NBC News. His activism and outspokenness made him a target for the Russian government, but also a symbol of resistance for many Russians seeking change.
Navalny's brother, Oleg Navalny, also became entangled in legal troubles. In a case widely seen as politically motivated, Oleg was jailed while Alexei received a suspended sentence in a fraud case. The sentencing sparked protests across Russia, with Muscovites taking to the streets to express their support for Navalny and their dissatisfaction with the government.
Despite his legal battles and the risks he faced, Navalny continued to challenge the regime. In January 2015, he was briefly released from jail but defied his house arrest by going out to buy milk, symbolizing his determination and defiance. International media outlets, including BuzzFeed News and NDTV, covered Navalny's actions and his ongoing struggle against the government.
Tragedy struck the Russian opposition in February 2015 when Boris Nemtsov, another prominent critic of Putin, was assassinated in Moscow. This shocking event highlighted the dangers faced by those who dared to challenge the Russian government. Navalny and other opposition figures remained undeterred, vowing to continue their fight for change.
Throughout 2015, Navalny's activism persisted. He granted interviews to media outlets like The Washington Post, sharing his views on the Putin regime and his determination to challenge it. However, he also faced challenges from state-controlled media, which sought to discredit and marginalize him.
In the background, allegations of corruption within the Russian government emerged. Independent journalists and organizations like bellingcat investigated and exposed corrupt practices, including the investigation of Navalny's own anti-corruption efforts.
As the year drew to a close, The Guardian published an article shedding light on Yuri Chaika, Russia's justice chief, and his alleged links to a criminal gang. These revelations further highlighted the complexities of corruption and power within the Russian government.
Throughout 2014 and 2015, Alexei Navalny continued to be a prominent figure in the Russian opposition, challenging Putin's regime and advocating for change. His resilience and determination, despite facing legal troubles, harassment, and the tragic loss of fellow activists, solidified his position as a symbol of hope for many Russians seeking a more transparent and democratic future.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on June 29, 2023
Previous: Profile In Focus | Alexei Navalny Part 1 (March 2010 - December 2013)
Next: Profile In Focus | Alexei Navalny Part 3 (January 2016 - December 2016)
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Putin Is A War Criminal
Russia Is A Terrorist State:
Part 1 (1990s)
Part 2 (2000s)
Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Part 4 (2016 - 2019)
Part 5 (2020 - 2021)
Part 6: (2022+)
Sources for Profile In Focus | Alexei Navalny Part 2 (January 2014 - December 2015):
The Sochi Olympics and the making of 'Putin the Great' - CBC January 23, 2014
Putin’s Olympic Shame - DAILY BEAST January 27, 2014
Russia opposition leader Alexei Navalny under house arrest - BBC News February 28, 2014
How to Punish Putin | OP-ED Contributor - The New York Times March 19, 2014
Vladimir the Great - POLITICO May 19, 2014
Russian Police Search Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny's Home - NDTV June 20, 2014
Meet Pussy Riot, they break the rules - WIRED October 12, 2014
Jail Russian activist Alexei Navalny for 10 years - prosecutors - The Guardian December 19, 2014
Facebook Angers Russian Dissidents by Blocking Protest Page - TIME December 23, 2014
Brother of Russian opposition leader jailed in Moscow - VOA News December 30, 2014
Kremlin critic Navalny arrested after breaking house arrest - Channel 4 News December 30, 2014
Russian Opposition Figure Detained Hours After Suspended Sentence - NPR December 30, 2014
Navalny sentenced again - DW December 30, 2014
Who’s Afraid of Alexei Navalny? - SLATE December 30, 2014
The Bitter Education of Alexey Navalny - The New Yorker December 30, 2014
Putin critic Navalny among 'hundred held' at Moscow protest - BBC News December 31, 2014
Russia avoids making Navalny martyr but jails brother - BBC News December 30, 2014
Kremlin critic Navalny given suspended sentence, brother jailed - Reuters December 30, 2014
Putin Critic Alexei Navalny Convicted of Embezzlement - NBC News December 30, 2014
Putin Goes Medieval on the Russian Opposition | Opinion - Bloomberg December 30, 2014
Who is Alexei Navalny, and why does he scare Putin so much? - Vox December 30, 2014
Alexei Navalny: The greatest threat to Putin - Independent January 2, 2015
Putin Critic Alexey Navalny Released From Jail - BuzzFeed News January 5, 2015
Putin Critic Protests House Arrest By Cutting Off Tracking Bracelet - TIME January 5, 2015
Putin Foe Alexei Navalny Defies House Arrest by Going to Buy Milk - NDTV | AP News January 7, 2015
Alexei Navalny: Russia's Nelson Mandela? - The Week January 8, 2015
Russian court ends house arrest, upholds sentence for Navalny - Reuters February 17, 2015
Jail Alexei Navalny for 10 years, demand Russian prosecutors - The Guadian February 17, 2015
Russian Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny Jailed in Moscow - Newsweek February 19, 2015
Moscow court jails Navalny for 15 days, bars him from opposition rally - Reteurs February 20, 2015
Putin critic Alexei Navalny given 15-day jail sentence - BBC News February 20, 2015
80% of Russians Unaware of Navalny's Anti-Crisis Protest This Sunday - Newsweek February 27, 2015
Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov shot dead in Moscow - Channel 4 News February 28, 2015
The mysterious fates met by Putin critics - France 24 March 2, 2015
The Putin Critics Who Have Been Assassinated - sky news March 3, 2015
An interview with Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny - The Washington Post March 18, 2015
Exiled Russian lawmaker explains why Putin isn't afraid of Obama - Vox April 21, 2015
The Terrifying Kids Show Staged By Pro-Putin Bikers And Paid For By Taxpayers - RFERL May 5, 2015
Yachtspotting: OSINT Methods in Navalny's Corruption Investigation - bellingcat August 19, 2015
Aleksey Navalny | Russian lawyer - Britannica September 7, 2015
Russia's new princelings: who is Putin's rock'n'roll daughter? - The Guardian November 11, 2015