Moscow Mayhem: The Fallout of Navalny’s Death
Moscow. Since the unfortunate demise of Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition has seemingly turned into a bad reality show, complete with turf wars and physical altercations. What’s next? I’m half-expecting a wrestling match to break out in Red Square!
Navalny’s Last Words
In his final diary entry, Navalny wrote, “I will spend the rest of my life in prison and die here.” Ah, nothing like a little existential dread to spice things up! Despite being behind bars, he continued to urge his supporters, warning them against giving up their homeland to “liars, thieves, and hypocrites.” Almost sounds like a Tinder bio, doesn’t it?
Now available posthumously in a book titled Patriot, it’s clear our dear Alexei had a flair for drama. Who needs a soap opera when you’ve got the Kremlin and their ever-flamboyant narratives?
The Conspiracy Theorists’ Playground
As expected, Navalny’s death has sparked a whirlwind of conspiracy theories hotter than Vlad’s summer wardrobe. Was it natural? Hardly. Investigative media like “The Insider” have suggested foul play could’ve been on the Kremlin’s menu again. I mean, how many times can we order the “mysterious poison” dish?
With reports claiming he exhibited symptoms like vomiting and severe cramps, the question arises: could this all be an elaborate Russian version of Neverland—where life is just a bit too surreal to be true? However, proof is as elusive as a good Russian vodka not served ice-cold.
The Struggle for Power in Opposition
After his passing, the opposition, which was already a bit like a family reunion from hell, has become incredibly divided. We’ve got two factions squabbling like children over a toy that they all know is broken: one led by Navalny’s team and the other fuelled by ex-oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Apparently, even in exile, the bickering never ceases.
But wait! Just when you thought it could calm down, accusations fly. The Anti-Corruption Foundation has claimed that Khodorkovsky’s ally, Leonid Nevslin, is behind various attacks on Navalny aides. That’s right, folks! Real-life soap opera shenanigans: “As the Stomach Turns!”
A Truly Shady Business
More than just whispers in shadowy corners, attacks on opposition figures have escalated. Imagine one of your pals being attacked with a hammer! And not even the good kind—this was like something straight out of a low-budget action flick.
Now the question everyone’s asking is: who’s behind this? Is it Putin’s goons, or has the drama seeped into the opposition too? Ivan Zhdanov has issued a dire reminder that people will always wonder if it’s the Kremlin or one of their so-called allies orchestrating these assaults. It’s like the ultimate plot twist no one saw coming—or maybe everyone did.
Conclusion: A Tragic Yet Absurd Comedy
The situation surrounding Navalny’s death is tragic, yet the political posturing of various factions feels almost comedy-esque, a bit like a circus without the fun. The Russian opposition isn’t just dealing with the fallout of Navalny’s mysterious death; they are caught up in a chaotic power struggle that rivals even the wildest plot twists of reality TV. It’s fascinating, truly, but I suppose that’s just how we do politics in the age of shock and awe!
Moscow. Since Alexei Navalny’s death, Russian opposition groups have been embroiled in turf wars. There are even allegations of physical attacks.
“I will spend the rest of my life in prison and die here,” wrote Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who died in the Russian “Polarwolf” prison camp in February, in his diary. Excerpts from it are currently being published posthumously as a book under the title “Patriot” published. Navalny’s last diary entry was from January 17, a month before his death. “The only thing we should fear is that we will give up our homeland to be plundered by a band of liars, thieves and hypocrites.”
Capital Inside by Jörg Quoos, editor-in-chief of the FUNKE central editorial team
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For a long time, Navalny was the most prominent face of the Russian opposition. Even from prison, he managed to rally various opposition groups behind him. But with his death, the opposition is also threatened with final collapse.
Navalny: Supporters and Western politicians doubt the cause of death was natural
There are always new inconsistencies surrounding Navalny’s death, for which his supporters and numerous Western politicians blame the Kremlin. The accusation suggested by the investigative media “The Insider” is serious. The Kremlin critic is in a prison camp did not die a natural deathas the Russian authorities claim. He may even have been poisoned again. From whoever. But there is no solid evidence for this.
Nevertheless, the “insider” revelation is spectacular. It proves that essential investigative documents were at least glossed over. “The Insider” was able to evaluate hundreds of leaked documents. It is unclear whether these documents are really genuine; official stamps are missing. If so, then the evaluation does not indicate that Navalny died naturally. An initial investigation report states that the prisoner vomited, complained of stomach pain and had cramps. Then he became unconscious. That could, but doesn’t have to, Symptoms of poisoning be.
According to his diary, Navalny expected to die in custody
Putin opponent: speculation about the true cause of death
The current revelations are not the first inconsistencies regarding Navalny’s cause of death. Immediately after the death of Kremlin critic On February 16 this year, prison authorities said Navalny had felt unwell after a “walk” and then lost consciousness. He couldn’t be revived. Russian state broadcaster RT claimed the 47-year-old died of a “dislodged blood clot.” From a thrombosis. Navalny’s doctor Alexander Polupan immediately contradicted this: “Only an autopsy can prove a thromboembolism. There are no other methods.” But they didn’t exist at that time.
Background: Was Navalny poisoned? Secret report confirms suspicions
Navalny died a “natural death” that was not “criminal in nature,” according to the official version. However, the “insider” points out that “Vomit samples“should be investigated. These were no longer mentioned later, and no results of the investigation were announced. Navalny’s cause of death remains a mystery: immediately after his death, more than 40 countries called for an international investigation. The Kremlin rejected this.
The Russian dissident Mikhail Khodorkovsky now lives in London after a ten-year prison sentence. © DPA Images | Bernd von Jutrczenka
After Navalny’s death, the Russian opposition, driven into exile, became increasingly entangled in trench warfare. She is deeply divided. Two groups are irreconcilably opposed to each other: Navalny’s team and opposition members around the ex-oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky. He was chairman of the board of the former oil company Yukos. In 2004, the business magazine Forbes estimated his fortune at $15.2 billion. He opposed Russian President Vladimir Putin and was convicted of tax evasion and fraud. After 10 years in a prison camp, the Kremlin chief pardoned him. Today Khodorkovsky lives in London and supports parts of the Russian opposition from there.
Putin opponents at odds with each other: serious suspicion
Now there is one outrageous suspicion in the room. The anti-corruption foundation ACF, founded by Navalny, accuses Khodorkovsky ally Leonid Nevslin of ordering attacks on Navalny aides. The online medium Meduza knows that information about this was passed on to the Navalny team by one of Newlin’s intermediaries who had been working for him for three years.
Serious accusation: Leonid Newslin is accused of ordering attacks on Navalny aides. Newslin denies the allegations. © AFP | NICHOLAS KAMM
Also interesting: Prisoner exchange: Could Navalny have been there too?
It’s about several things Attacks on Russian opposition figures abroad. Last March, unknown people attacked Navalny’s confidant Leonid Volkov with a hammer in front of his home in Lithuania. According to his own statements, Volkov broke his arm and his leg was seriously injured. The authorities in Lithuania had assumed that Russia could be behind the attack on the Putin critic. In Poland, the public prosecutor’s office is now investigating suspected perpetrators.
Leonid Volkov on the way to the hospital after being attacked with a hammer. © AFP | –
They were also attacked Navalny allies Ivan Zhdanov and Alexandra Petrachkova, the wife of economist Maxim Mironov, who lives in exile in Argentina and is closely linked to Navalny’s team. Petrachkova was walking with her 10-month-old son in Buenos Aires, she was punched in the face and told to “stay away from Russia.”
“Beating women with strollers is, in my opinion, just too much,” Meduza quoted the informant who accused Newslin and Khodorkovsky as saying. Both reject the allegations as false. If Navalny’s supporters have something to accuse him of, they should go to court and not damage his reputation, Khodorkovsky said. The Russian opposition in exile is in great excitement. Ivan Zhdanov gets to the point. “Every time an attack is carried out in the future, people will ask themselves whether Putin, Russian intelligence or an opposition figure was behind it.”
