Profile In Focus | Alexei Navalny Part 6 (2018)
Russia Is A Terrorist State: Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Profile In Focus | Alexei Navalny Part 6 (2018)
“The Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny marches on Tverskaya Street in Moscow” by Evgeny Feldman under CC BY-SA 4.0.
In 2018, Alexei Navalny, the prominent Russian opposition leader, faced numerous challenges in his ongoing struggle against the Putin regime. Although he had been excluded from Russia's presidential poll, Navalny remained a threat to the government and continued to rally his supporters.
In January, Navalny's exclusion from Russia's presidential poll further fueled public discontent with the government. People took to the streets to protest the decision, demanding fair representation in the political process. However, Navalny's arrest during one of these protests highlighted the risks and dangers he faced in his activism.
The charismatic opposition leader captivated Russia's youth, drawing attention to the corruption that he claimed underpinned the Putin regime. Despite his disqualification, Navalny continued to pursue political change through alternative means, using social media to expose alleged connections between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin.
In February, Navalny utilized digital platforms to challenge Putin's regime. He claimed to have discovered connections between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin, releasing a video that Russia attempted to bury. Navalny's digital challenge to Putin's regime earned him attention, but it also brought consequences. Videos critical of the government were censored, and there were attempts to shut down YouTube, the platform where Navalny's revelations gained traction. Navalny's persistence and determination to expose corruption made him a nemesis of Putin.
As the Russian presidential election approached, Navalny organized volunteers to act as election observers, trying to ensure transparency in the process. However, the election was not without controversy, as Putin's victory was widely anticipated and marred by allegations of electoral irregularities.
Navalny's continued persistence in challenging Putin resulted in multiple detentions and arrests. In March, he was detained in Moscow, raising concerns about his safety and the limitations on his political activities. Each time he was released, he was swiftly re-arrested, leading to public outrage and further scrutiny of the Russian government's treatment of opposition figures.
As the year progressed, anti-Putin protests in Russia grew. In May, more than 1,600 people were arrested during these demonstrations, signaling the ongoing dissatisfaction with the government. Navalny was released from police custody following his detention during the protests.
In June, Navalny's brother was also freed from jail, adding to the complexities of the situation. The opposition leader's relentless pursuit of political change earned him admiration and international attention, but it also exposed the limitations and dangers of opposing the powerful Kremlin.
In September, Putin's ex-bodyguard, Viktor Zolotov, challenged Navalny to a duel on YouTube, demonstrating the escalating tensions between the opposition leader and the government. Navalny's subsequent arrest moments after his release from jail further exemplified the government's attempts to suppress dissent.
Despite facing adversity, Navalny received vindication from the European Court of Human Rights in November. The court condemned his detentions and recognized the legitimacy of his activism. This decision bolstered Navalny's position and cast a spotlight on the Russian government's treatment of its political opponents.
Throughout the year, Navalny's activism and opposition to the government remained steadfast. Despite the challenges and repeated arrests, he continued to be a prominent figure in Russian politics, capturing the attention of both domestic and international audiences. Navalny's determination to challenge Putin's regime set the stage for further confrontations and struggles in the years to come.
Overall, 2018 was a tumultuous year for Alexei Navalny as he challenged Putin's regime and tried to bring about change in Russia. His resilience and determination in the face of political obstacles inspired a new generation of activists. However, the Kremlin's response to his activism highlighted the difficulties and dangers of opposing a powerful and authoritarian government. Navalny's journey continued to captivate the world and raise questions about the state of democracy and human rights in Russia.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on June 30, 2023
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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 6 (2018):
Putin’s Rival Can’t Run for President, But He’s Still a Threat - Bloomberg January 2, 2018
Alexei Navalny is excluded from Russia’s presidential poll - The Economist January 3, 2018
The Future of Navalny’s Opposition Movement - Foreign Affairs January 16, 2018
Putin regime is ‘built on corruption,’ opposition leader Alexei Navalny says - CNN January 27, 2018
Russian opposition leader arrested amid election protests - AP News January 28, 2018
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny arrested at Moscow rally - NBC News January 28, 2018
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been arrested in Moscow - CNBC January 28, 2018
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny detained - POLITICO January 28, 2018
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny arrested amid protests - USA Today January 28, 2018
The opposition man captivating Russia's youth - DW January 29, 2018
Banned From Election, Putin Foe Navalny Pursues Politics By Other Means - NPR February 8, 2018
Alexei Navalny: the man who would bring down Vladimir Putin - The Times February 19, 2018
Putin nemesis Navalny, barred from election, tries political siege - Reuters February 21, 2018
Why Sobchak is Wrong and Navalny is Right - Atlantic Council February 21, 2018
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny detained in Moscow - The Guardian February 22, 2018
Russia's Opposition Leader Is Organizing Volunteers To Act As Election Observers - NPR March 9, 2018
Your Complete Guide to Russia's 2018 Presidential Election - TIME March 13, 2018
Transcript: Russian Opposition Figure Alexei Navalny - VOA News March 16, 2018
The Russian Liberal’s Dilemma - SLATE March 19, 2018
Have Russia's anti-Putin protests gone stale? - sky news May 5, 2018
More than 1,600 arrested in Russia amid anti-Putin protests - PBS NewsHour May 5, 2018
Alexei Navalny: Putin’s sole political nemesis - Al Jazeera May 6, 2018
Russia protests: Opposition leader Navalny released from police custody - CNN May 6, 2018
Russian opposition leader Navalny released from detention - Al Jazeera May 6, 2018
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny released from custody - USA Today | AP News June 14, 2018
A Moscow Prison Got A Makeover For The World Cup, Opposition Leader Quips - NPR June 14, 2018
Russian opposition leader Navalny’s brother freed from jail - The Seattle Times June 29, 2018
Russia Lashes Out at Google Ahead of Election Day Protests - Newsweek September 4, 2018
Putin's critic Alexei Navalny arrested moments after release from jail - BBC News September 24, 2018
Alexei Navalny: Russian opposition leader freed from jail - The Guardian October 14, 2018
European Court Vindicates Leading Russian Activist - Human Rights Watch November 16, 2018
Russia Navalny: Strasbourg court condemns detentions of Putin foe - BBC News November 15, 2018
Russia | Events of 2018 - Human Rights Watch February 24, 2019