Profile In Focus | Alexei Navalny Part 1 (March 2010 - December 2013)
Russia Is A Terrorist State: Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Profile In Focus | Alexei Navalny Part 1 (March 2010 - December 2013)
“Alexei Navalny” by Evgeny Feldman / Novaya Gazeta under CC BY-SA 3.0.
March 2010 marked the beginning of a remarkable journey for Alexei Navalny, a Russian lawyer and anti-corruption activist. He became widely known for his courageous efforts to expose and fight against corporate greed and corruption in his country.
In March 2010, TIME magazine featured Navalny, dubbing him "Russia's Erin Brockovich" for his relentless pursuit of justice. He gained attention through his website, which exposed corruption in Russian corporations and government bodies. The New York Times also highlighted his work, describing his site as a platform that revealed the truth behind corrupt practices.
Navalny's activism and determination caught the eye of international media. The New Yorker magazine published an article on him, emphasizing the impact of his online activism in exposing corruption. VOA News praised his leadership in the fight against corruption, recognizing him as a young lawyer dedicated to making a difference in Russia.
As Navalny's influence grew, he faced resistance from the Russian authorities. In May 2011, he became the subject of a criminal investigation, allegedly due to his activities as a blogger. Navalny accused President Vladimir Putin of abusing his power and called for transparency and accountability in the government. These bold statements attracted attention from global news outlets such as NBC News and The Guardian.
Navalny's rising popularity as an opposition figure was evident during a nationalist rally in Moscow in November 2011. He delivered a speech criticizing Putin's party, further solidifying his position as a prominent critic of the government. However, his activism came at a cost. Navalny was arrested in December 2011 but was released shortly thereafter, sparking international concern for his safety and freedom.
Despite the challenges he faced, Navalny persisted in challenging Putin's regime. In January 2012, he successfully debunked a photo smear campaign aimed at discrediting him. This victory further boosted his credibility as a voice against corruption. The Guardian published a profile on him, highlighting his determination to bring change to Russia.
As the 2012 Russian presidential election approached, Navalny's influence continued to grow. He was recognized as one of the prominent candidates and gained attention from media outlets worldwide. His activism and criticisms of Putin's government earned him both admiration and scrutiny.
Navalny's journey took a dramatic turn in July 2013 when he was convicted of embezzlement. This conviction led to his sentencing to five years in prison, a move that sparked protests across Russia. International media, including The New York Times and BBC News, reported on his case and the widespread demonstrations that followed.
However, Navalny's time in prison was short-lived. He was released the next day on bail pending an appeal, a decision that surprised many and raised questions about the Russian court system. This development allowed him to continue his activism, and he became a symbol of resistance against the Putin regime.
Navalny's release was widely covered by news outlets, including The Washington Post and CBS News. The international community closely watched his actions, recognizing him as a key figure in the opposition movement. He gained support from a new generation of Russians who sought change and reform.
Despite his release, Navalny's path was not without challenges. He faced ethnic slurs and criticism, with some questioning his political ideology. International media outlets such as The Atlantic explored his stance as either a liberal or a nationalist, highlighting the complexities of his political views.
As 2013 progressed, Navalny embarked on a campaign for the Moscow mayoral election. The New Yorker documented his campaign, which faced significant obstacles but symbolized the hopes and aspirations of many Russians seeking political change. Ultimately, Sergei Sobyanin won the election, but Navalny's campaign left a lasting impact on the political landscape.
The year concluded with a focus on broader political issues in Russia. The Financial Times published an article on Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a former oligarch and political prisoner, highlighting the challenging political climate in the country. Additionally, Putin's proposed prison amnesty plan sparked discussions about the Russian Duma's approval and its implications for the political landscape.
Alexei Navalny's journey from a lawyer fighting corporate greed to a prominent opposition figure captivated the attention of the world. His determination, activism, and resilience against corruption and the Russian government's practices made him a symbol of hope and change for many Russians seeking a brighter future.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on June 29, 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 1 (March 2010 - December 2013):
Russia's Erin Brockovich: Taking On Corporate Greed - TIME March 9, 2010
Russian Site Smokes Out Corruption - The New York Times March 27, 2011
Net Impact - The New Yorker March 28, 2011
Young Lawyer Leads Fight Against Corruption in Russia - VOA News April 4, 2011
Russian blogger Alexei Navalny faces criminal investigation - The Guardian May 10, 2011
Russian blogger accuses Putin of abuse of power - NBC News June 24, 2011
Moscow nationalist rally hears attack on Putin party - BBC News November 4, 2011
Russian blogger Alexei Navalny in spotlight after arrest - The Washington Post December 6, 2011
Navalny challenges Putin after leaving Russian jail - Reuters December 20, 2011
Russia releases anti-Kremlin blogger - Al Jazeera December 21, 2011
Rebel blogger - DW December 23, 2011
The End of Putin - Foreign Policy December 28, 2011
Russia’s new dissidents - The Spectator December 31, 2011
Russian blogger Navalny unmasks 'Kremlin' photo smear - BBC News January 10, 2012
Russia's presidential candidates - CBC January 19, 2012
Putin’s new strategy: Vilify U.S. - POLITICO January 30, 2012
Russian Accuses Voice Of America Of Fake Interview - NPR February 20, 2012
Russia Dispatch: Hand-in-Hand Against Putin’s Presidency Bid - PBS NewsHour February 27, 2012
Anti-Putin activists pay high price but refuse to back down - NBC News March 2, 2012
In Moscow, peaceful protest turns violent - The Washington Post May 6, 2012
Russian Police Raid Opposition Leaders' Homes Ahead of Protest - VOA News June 11, 2012
Russia protesters demand Putin’s resignation - CNN June 12, 2012
Russia: The ‘March of Millions’ - Human Rights Watch June 13, 2012
Russia's Navalny elected to Aeroflot board - Reuters June 25, 2012
Russia Charges Anticorruption Activist in Plan to Steal Timber - The New York Times July 31, 2012
Blogger charged - DW August 1, 2012
Pussy Riot Trial 'Reminds Me of the Inquisition' - SPIEGEL International August 20, 2012
Putin’s Public Enemy No. 1: A Visit With Alexei Navalny - TIME April 15, 2013
Putin Adversary Faces Long Prison Term - SPIEGEL International April 17, 2013
The Most Dangerous Blogger in the World - The New Republic July 18, 2013
Alexei Navalny convicted: The fates of Putin's enemies - BBC News July 18, 2013
Russian Court Convicts Opposition Activist - NPR July 18, 2013
Jailed Navalny embodies generation of rebellious Russians - Reuters July 18, 2013
Russian opposition leader guilty of embezzlement - USA Today July 18, 2013
Alexei Navalny sentenced to five years in prison - The Guardian July 18, 2013
Putin Critic Gets 5-Year Jail Term, Setting Off Protests - The New York Times July 18, 2013
Alexey Navalny, a Free Man in Russia - The New Yorker July 19, 2013
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny released from custody - The Guardian July 19, 2013
Russian Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny Released on Bail - VOA News July 19, 2013
Why did a Russian court reverse itself on Alexei Navalny? - Los Angeles Times July 19, 2013
Navalny emerges at fore of new generation of Russian opposition - NBC News July 20, 2013
Ethnic Slurs Haunt Alexey Navalny - Global Voice July 25, 2013
Is Aleksei Navalny a Liberal or a Nationalist? - The Atlantic July 29, 2013
To Moscow via Yale - DW August 14, 2013
Alexey Navalny’s Miraculous, Doomed Campaign - The New Yorker September 6, 2013
A decisive election for Navalny - September 8, 2013
Sergei Sobyanin wins Moscow mayoral election - CNN September 9, 2013
One day in the life of Mikhail Khodorkovsky - Financial Times October 24, 2013
Putin's prison amnesty plan set for approval in Russian Duma - Reuters December 17, 2013