The life of Alexei Navalny

Alexei Navalny, Russia’s most prominent opposition leader, has died in a penal colony near the Arctic Circle, according to the Russian prison service. Listen to this excerpt on Navalny’s life and career from our podcast series “Next Year in Moscow”.
Original podcast: Producers: Sam Colbert, Pete Naughton, Ksenia Barakovskaya, Lika Kremer; Sound design: Weidong Lin; Original music: Darren Ng; Executive producer: John Shields.
00:00 - Alexei Navalny has died
01:14 - Navalny’s poisoning
07:26 - Returning to Russia
11:40 - His political work
18:50 - Navalny’s prison sentence
21:27 - Alexei Navalny’s legacy
Sign up to The Economist’s daily newsletter: econ.st/3QAawvI
Obit: Alexei Navalny didn’t just defy Putin-he showed up his depravity:
econ.st/3OMDcmq
Read our 2020 interview with Alexei Navalny: econ.st/3SYmFhQ
Read our 1843 profile from 2021: econ.st/3SJzRpz
Read more on the war in Ukraine: econ.st/3UJIQtw
Listen to the full Next Year in Moscow series: econ.st/3uI6JHa
Listen to more Economist podcasts: econ.st/3SJK3hF

[@Sandrilyonaify]

This is a tremendous loss to all of us who hoped for a brighter future. This just means we have a lot more work ahead of us. He won't be forgotten.

[@gleestruwe1818]

what work ,your western Russia's traitors will not have the Kremlin , so work I don't agree🤔

[@imperijaable]

There will come the day when Putin will fall. Then all Russians will be free and will not live in darkness and fear. You just need to believe.

[@kathyn8780]

RIP and your bravery will go down in history

[@ananke2104]

Sure , down the toilet .

[@PeppermintPatties]

Rest in power, Alexei. 💔

[@Oregon123]

His power was lies. America lets the news networks lie. Slander used to be illegal. Now it's not promoted. Hillary should be rotting in jail for the rest of her life for what she caused with her Russian collusion dossier. She wrecked so many things and she's walking around free. A hundred years ago almost any country would hang her.

[@pootle5096]

Navalny is a terrorist. He was caught planning a color revolution to overtake Russia with MI6. He’s not “political opposition”. He’s a foreign intelligence asset. A spy. He was caught on video discussing/planning “mass protests, civil initiatives, propaganda, establishing contacts with elites” with British MI6 agent, James William Thomas Ford, via the funding from unmanned rich billionaires. Navalny was the West’s frontman to takeover Russia from within. The same exact playbook they used to take over Ukraine. Navalny was a Deep State asset, and he was treated as such. As a hostile foreign actor looking to overthrow a sovereign nation, on behalf of the West. Treason and sedition. So spare me with the West’s fake outrage and pearl-clutching, as if Putin is unfairly jailing and murdering political opponents, while the Trump witch hunt is going into its 8th year… and while Julian Assange is still being held in prison…

[@ramatgan1]

RIP Gonzalo Lira Free Julian Assange.

[@Oregon123]

@ramatgan1 navalny was a traitor. That is the part the western media leaves out. Guilty if treason.

[@Oregon123]

It's funny. All my comments get deleted. I've posted to this thread at least twice.

[@xlynx9]

"Prison exists in your mind. And if you think carefully, I'm not in prison, but on a space voyage to a wonderful new world".

[@andreafisher3268]

So sad, the hope for the nation😥💔

[@whoever_81]

What hope? His sentence was 19 years in prison...

[@crookim]

😂 nobody in Russia knew who this clown was!

[@ramyersunday7769]

@@crookimagreed 😅😅😅 HOPE FOR NATION!!🙄

[@angellynn7701]

What a freedom fighter looks like. As an American i can say he was admired for his strength.

[@MrDICKHEAD28]

STOP IT

[@platinumfalconm3891]

His name was Gonzalo Lira.

[@ultonian63]

@@platinumfalconm3891 trust the trolls to be all over this - have they cancelled annual leave in Savushkina Street?

[@nightowl7261]

​@platinumfalconm3891 It's unfortunate Americans don't know or forgotten about Gonzalo already. He's an American too.

[@inkacabinka8763]

As a Russian I thank you for your words

[@williamyoung9401]

I can't imagine a braver person than Alexei Navalny, who willing walked into the lion's den, knowing what awaited him. He is a true martyr. 😢

[@PS-mw9ue]

Man, this is so sad. So devastating.😢😢😢

[@DaNiyaHodge]

Rip Alexei Anatolievich Navalny, you will truly be missed

[@pootle5096]

Navalny is a terrorist. He was caught planning a color revolution to overtake Russia with MI6. He’s not “political opposition”. He’s a foreign intelligence asset. A spy. He was caught on video discussing/planning “mass protests, civil initiatives, propaganda, establishing contacts with elites” with British MI6 agent, James William Thomas Ford, via the funding from unmanned rich billionaires. Navalny was the West’s frontman to takeover Russia from within. The same exact playbook they used to take over Ukraine. Navalny was a Deep State asset, and he was treated as such. As a hostile foreign actor looking to overthrow a sovereign nation, on behalf of the West. Treason and sedition. So spare me with the West’s fake outrage and pearl-clutching, as if Putin is unfairly jailing and murdering political opponents, while the Trump witch hunt is going into its 8th year… and while Julian Assange is still being held in prison…

[@starmucho123]

RIP Navalny😢

[@midimusicforever]

Rest in peace, Alexei. You were a brave man!

[@Video2Webb]

Thank you for putting this out to honour a great man whose life has been sacrificed for the whole of Russia and even beyond, where other human beings have to endure totalitarianism and extreme cruelty. I feel terribly sad about Navalny. Yet he knew what a devil Putin is and he knowingly took a risk in returning to Russia - as a politician intent on making a point INSIDE Russia, not outside. Deeply sorry that his point has, in practice ,meant his life force being extinguished. 😢😭

[@mikebowman9844]

Thank you. But we are never extinguished. I believe he is an advanced soul.

[@197508elena]

What nonsense, Navalny has never been an angel

[@tubalcain1039]

A voice stood against tyranny:never forgotten.

[@l.l6700]

Things like this make me hate this world.

[@albin2232]

That's helpful.

[@Ramblin_Ed]

​@@albin22322+2=5, War is peace, Freedom is slavery, Ignorance is strength, If the leader say it is ok..well it's ok

[@kinvara5621]

Alexei you are an icon, RIP . There was so much hope with you around.

[@MargaretHillsdeZ]

Tragic!

[@SY-jq4yw]

Murdered, no doubt.

[@richard_from_england333]

​@@bobbymozzaWho?

[@maximedamour5192]

​@@hydraulicpresshortssNo, santa claus.

[@andrearenee7845]

RIP dear one...

[@evennot]

Thanks

[@tridenteiii8471]

Alexei Navalny is one of the best human being in Russia and the world! We will miss you and remember you as one of the greatest hero of this world! ❤Boetin, 4 juni 1976 - Charp, 16 februari 2024) 🙏

[@swoondrones]

Great episode. I’m actually crying. I’m so sorry.

[@hiddennugget9413]

Thanks for clarifying

[@jminiethv5880]

plz do someone get the link of the podcast of this épisode ?

[@oraakkeli]

Wow. There'll be movies about this man. A true revolutionary

[@Korra228]

There already is one. It won an Oscar for best documentary.

[@oraakkeli]

@@Korra228 wow, there will be even more movies about this man. A true revolutionary

[@nodramallama42]

💔

[@danicook8071]

Rest in power and in peace. You will not be forgotten.

[@kevinmackay2663]

🕊YOUR COURAGE BRINGS LIGHT, YOUNG HERO GODSPEED ALEXEI ☮💜

[@samantharajaram4843]

Courageous man. The world is worse off without him. ❤

[@frankbayer3787]

Blessed are the peace makers

[@BCSTS]

Your presentation is the best I have heard especially re Alexei Navalny.....and Maria ! Well done !

[@IExpectedBSJustNotThisMuchBS]

Thank you for this.

[@josephphoenix1376]

He Never Should have Returned to Russia!🤔😡

[@_BO.]

Well.. maybe he wanted his children and future grandchildren to live in a better world, so he fought for their future

[@adamhuntytb]

Rest in power, brother.

[@hrihori_art]

I caught his live performance, he was a great man, on par with Gandhi, Mandela, and others. He will go down in history

[@jonconnington8987]

He will be forgotten in a week, get real.

[@nightowl7261]

I guess he fits with Ghandi Ghandi was a Hindu Nationalist. Navalny himself participated in far right movement white supremacist movement as well. So they are probably making out now.

[@hrihori_art]

@@jonconnington8987 🤡

[@Ramblin_Ed]

The spirit of Navalny lives forever 🕯️🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@Sirius263]

This is tragic news! I sensed his move to such a remote prison was the precursor to his death.

[@alwinbenjamin]

😢

[@duncandisorderly6562]

You could've given us some visuals 🙄

[@refatsalameh9816]

Very informative, thank you economist

[@Kingjames111]

Artic jail? Sheeeeesh

[@MDMijan-vq4lm]

😢😥😥

[@dallastexas4564]

Just after carlson's visit.

[@Ramblin_Ed]

🕊️🌹🕯️ Navalny 🕯️🌹🕊️ ☦️☦️☦️☦️☦️☦️☦️☦️☦️

[@stefanjovovic8695]

What’s the reason this channel did not speak anything about the Tucker-Putin interview?

[@BCSTS]

The whole thing is trivial & laughable after this elevated report of this man's legacy & death !

[@KonaitoRadio]

another bot meat riding the most mid interview in history, womp womp!

[@ultonian63]

Because they don't cover trivia.

[@stefanjovovic8695]

@@ultonian63 an interview with the leader of the country we are in war with is not trivia

[@jonconnington8987]

@@BCSTS Most watched interview in history, certainly not trivial, this Navalny though a CIA stooge that no one cares about.

[@BrandyHeng007]

Live by the sword , die by the sword.

[@AlexCMoro81]

🖤

[@wgir2549]

❤Alexei Navalny 🙏🤜💪✊✌🙏❤

[@abcam20]

the economist I did not see any report about gonzalo lira death

[@SovietRussianBear]

Because Gonzalo spoke the truth.

[@watchwhatthehealth4539]

❤Rest in Peace Alexei🙏🙏🙏

[@mayakim9469]

💔🕯️

[@fontfroide1]

RIP Navalny. But it was much more interesting to hear about the start of his career.

[@sa4540]

RIP Alexei. You are a true hero and your legend will live on 😢. Murdered. ❤

[@topicalstormofficial]

What happened to Gonzalo Lira?

[@KonaitoRadio]

something something tucker carlson interview something something cia agents, something something biden womp womp

[@ultonian63]

I can just picture you copying and pasting from the troll factory script.

[@Wildrover82]

A brave man. R.I.P

[@goryphotos]

No such news for Julian Assange

[@Ramblin_Ed]

Assange is alive and well you can write him not Navalny🕯️ 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@ReasonableHuman1]

Rip

[@PS-mw9ue]

A movie about him must be produced quickly so the world learn about his incredible courage and deep love for his country. Even the biggest Putin yes-man must admit "This man was gifted with a special kind of bravery. He is in the rank of Stauffenberg and the Scholl siblings, Nelson Mandela and all exceptional heroic figures in history. "

[@jonconnington8987]

He was a racist, a criminal, a CIA stooge and a traitor to Russia.

[@annawilson2937]

We failed him, we are cursed…

[@iantobanter9546]

Check Redacted for a bit of balance on this individual....

[@alfatar6183]

If you are an independent media, make a material about David Kelly too! People need to know the truth!🧐

[@emmylou2652]

I agree….. I’m still haunted by what happened to David Kelly 😞

[@hedgerowclose]

He was probably a CIA asset. What about Gonzalo Lira?

[@elenarubin6313]

He tried in Belarus in 2020, but most belorussians didn't support the idea to be a West's poppets, not like it was successfully done in 2016 in Ukraine

[@bradleyhalfacre7992]

Gonzalo got the same treatment in Ukraine. Both sides are as murderous and treacherous and morally bankrupt as each other.

[@BCSTS]

Both of these comments are ridiculous & juvenile imo ! 😴

[@ultonian63]

You earn the usual potato for that remark.

[@jonconnington8987]

Definitely a CIA asset.

[@gloriathompson4010]

Poor man its so cold up in the Siberia

[@petyovelkov6808]

No different from what the British government is doing to Julian Assange or what the Ukrainian government has done to Gozalo Lira.

[@ultonian63]

Wrong, but you already knew that.

[@bak1391]

Yes, the West did the same with Navalny.

[@Ramblin_Ed]

2+2=5, War is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength, Big brother is watching you. If the leader says it's ok well it must be ok

[@Mit-dr3zj]

julian assange is useful idiot and GRU's asset

[@nzs316]

What’s unfortunate is that he failed to appreciate that there are no hero’s, just a dead “soldier” at the end of his day. A wise man knows it’s better to step back and live to fight another day.

[@leezilla9168]

Smoking on that Alexei Navalny pack tonight 💨

[@Uno.Numero]

So, US, UK, France, Germany, Canada and EU lost it's Russian 'Asset' RIP Navalny

[@Vanlalhruaia-de8bx]

May his soul Rest In Peace

[@ParkSeoHamStar]

ALEXEI NAVALNY RIP HERO 🙏🕊️🫶

[@tjgeduks]

Rest in Peace, always in my heart

[@rhondabailey9238]

Zelensky's passion of bonding with people thru comedy and songs has led him to this most important role for Ukrainians **And for a better WORLD.** For *goodness* sake, NOW is the time to stop **tyrants** striving for a dystopian world❣💪🇺🇦=💪🌐🕊️

[@nightowl7261]

Zelensky has silence all oppositional parties. And Western leaders said nothing about it. Hypocrites. Glad you brought him up.

[@rhondabailey9238]

@@nightowl7261 Oppressors *should* be silenced

[@Ramblin_Ed]

​@@nightowl7261 2+2=5, War is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength, Big brother is watching you, if the leader says it's ok well it's ok

[@brolisimo]

The guy just died, and you have the movie ready? You work quick I can you that. Who is next one then?

[@joqqeman]

Bro, this is from a podcast. It was already published. So yes, it was easy to put out quickly.

[@mariakopp4948]

Die wussten schon das er wird sterben,bevor er gestorben ist LOL

[@javaansejongens]

in another perspective, this person is considered a traitor to the nation and state because he is considered to have defected. RIP🕊

[@ultonian63]

If he defected, how come he returned to Muscovy from Berlin after they nearly killed him by poisoning?

[@Ramblin_Ed]

🕊️🌹🕯️ Navalny 🕯️🌹🕊️

[@GD-cr5um]

Brave man💜🧡❤🙏🌌

[@nikkimarland87]

😢 rest in peace Navalny gid bless you 🙏

[@AKRLUC2012]

Alexei Navalny was one unique human being. He saw his government and Russia for what it was. He wanted to help Russian people, and allow them to have a voice. (It's appalling that he was murdered by Putin). It proves beyond reasonable doubt that Russians will remain in stagnation.

[@themightytitan4157]

Always...always do your own research. Do not be spoon-fed a controlled narrative.

[@xubright5517]

Despite being poisoned in Russia, you displayed immense bravery by returning to Moscow, regardless of the personal hardships you faced. Tragically, you paid the ultimate price for your courage. Rest in peace. History will never forget you, and Putin will not be forgiven.

[@AnnaLauga-pl8tc]

Jā Ziņas no telefona

[@EVEROSFP1]

An extraordinary human being is gone...

[@xinma6034]

Need to cry?

[@roberta9833]

A man is dead but not his ideas.

[@Korra228]

I hope Rick and Morty pays tribute to Navalnyy

[@ParkSeoHamStar]

ALEXEI NAVALNY BRAVE NOBLE MAN 🙏🕊️🫶

[@tracevicente]

He lived in complete torture before he ultimately died 💔 we will not let Navalny’s sacrifice be forgotten. Putin must be stopped.

[@platinumfalconm3891]

His name was Gonzalo Lira.

[@jhonatancoterdo2740]

Stop saying he was a victim. With 500k USD in Russia i do not think he is the peopje champion

[@ultonian63]

That’s small change to Putin and his band of thieves.

[@papalarge168]

Your editor in chief didn't seem too bothered about the death of Ukrainians. On the Daily show the other day, Zanny Minton Beddoes said it was the cheapest way to enhance US security. You dont see the wrong in her comment? So Navalnys life is more important than all those soldiers that have died in ukraine, on both sides. Your editor in chief didnt even batter an eyelid or at least shed a tear for all those who have died. Whats happened to all you people. Have you no heart?

[@DryKnowledge]

It takes some big cojones to be the face of the Russian opposition.

[@tempejkl]

The leader of the Russian opposition was Zyuganov. Navalny’s party wasnt even in the top 3, CPRF is the only other party to get above 10%

[@Neutralino]

@@tempejkl You're assuming that Russia's elections were held under anything like free and fair conditions. They are not and hence those statistics are worthless.

[@papalarge168]

@@tempejkl These guys aren't interested in facts like that unfortunately. They've got so much misdirected hate in them, that just a simple google search would be a cognitive meltdown.

[@jimanstey9174]

Was Navalny ever allowed to campaign openly? Why were they so afraid of him??@@tempejkl

[@jonconnington8987]

@@jimanstey9174 They weren't afraid of him, he was a criminal, a known CIA stooge and was advocating for regime change in a way that was not democratic, the guy ended up in prison because he broke the law.

[@josephjordanwatkins3431]

Propaganda

[@user-xc7zs2xl2z]

Totally for got He got locked up before the War Is he the big reason was make Putin think of the War from the beginning You was in prison, got poisoned, you got saved, but you came back to Russia again to expected may got catched and being prison again, and may got killed, but you still did it, still go , still came back Well Nalvany I love you But your move was totally wrong When you no longer exit in this life Your peoples have to survived a big loss Who would be the Executive of the Organization now !! Your wife !!?? I would not putting my wife into the harmful situation as it Your daughter who was Speed-at Georgia University was pointed hurtful words to Putin while you was in Prison, mean of you was in Putin s hands You wanted Putin killed you Did you ? I love you But your move was wrong my man 😞🙏 Stay alive to bring peoples Freedom May founded a different way To be leading a hold big country You needed first Very thoughtful Calm Stay alive

[@user-xc7zs2xl2z]

As a human being There are more people dies each day Russian, Ukraine, and other countries who involved into this war Its very sad

[@esvedra2419]

Such coincidence all have prepared movies about life of Navalny, conferences in less than 12 hours, hmmm

[@goodgame3374]

Poo tin has been trying to get away with murdering him for years so it's not exactly a surprise my conspiracy loving friend

[@lh5945]

This is the first thing I thought, everything goes according to their plan

[@voider978]

Its because he was a man living on borrowed time. All major news outlets have stories that are ready to be finished in case this or that event occurs. But isnt it very exciting to think that the liberal outlet the Economist have inside information about the inner workings of the autocratic Kremlin....

[@mariakopp4948]

Die Filme sind schon vor eine Monat gemacht worden,weil die wussten schon ,was wird und muss passieren,weil in die Russland 🇷🇺 Sollte die Wahl werden,das musste eine Opfer sein ,gegen Putin,alte Kniffe,wie immer , bei jeden Land ,welche nicht andere gefällt,wegen die Demokratie

[@nestortomaselli6372]

RIP, Hero

[@sebo641]

It's important not to idolise a human being. He started off as a very racist and far right figure with some very racist comments. This shouldn't take away from his fight for freedom, but should be mentioned. We shouldn't white wash important figures in history.

[@xx-lk3bx]

A sad day for Israel and NATO.

[@vladislavovich100]

For me, all Russians are tested now by war in Ukraine but Navalni was tested by Ukraine earlier, he was asked about situation with annexation of Krimea peninsula by Russia, he said that Krimea is not a sandwich which you will take and can give it back. That's your guy. Enjoy. I personally do not see anything you said about him.

[@Ramblin_Ed]

🕊️🌹🕯️ Navalny 🕯️🌹🕊️

[@bradhigerd4838]

A man deserving of a legacy. Navalny will always be remembered by the world as the Russian leader who could have made Russia great.

[@ozzornick]

Very similar to Gorbachev and Elzin?

[@Ramblin_Ed]

🕊️🌹🕯️ Navalny 🕯️🌹🕊️☦️☦️☦️☦️☦️☦️☦️☦️☦️

[@leezilla9168]

Got that Navalny pack going for 20 rubles 💨 🇷🇺

[@nickvinehill7491]

who decided Navalny was the No1 Russian opposition leader?

[@waterjar27]

He made himself that, courageously.

[@bak1391]

His Western masters tried to mold him into the number one oppositionist. So that this agent of influence either seized power in Russia or was engaged in destabilizing the internal situation in the country.

[@arthurpendragon1056]

Julian Assange anyone?

[@ultonian63]

No thanks.

[@kdawgroove2]

It's kinda morbid you made this in less than 24 hours of his dead....

[@hbpz6407]

It was pre made

[@stefanjovovic8695]

I completely agree. Also, they really skipped talking about the Tucker-Putin interview.

[@yekware]

@@stefanjovovic8695 why should they have talked about that???

[@stefanjovovic8695]

@@yekware because otherwise it’s called censorship and it’s promoting a specific agenda and propaganda

[@asdg2271]

Where is Gonzalo Lira? Understand what’s going on.

[@SuperMario-bv8eh]

R.I.P Navalny

[@geno1825]

Hilarious 😂