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Alexei Navalny

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny died in prison on February 16, 2024. Less than a month later, his chief of staff, Leonid Volkov, was attacked with a hammer in Lithuania.

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The three lawyers who used to represent the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny: Igor Sergunin, Alexei Liptser and Vadim Kobzev (L-R in the defendants' cage) attend their verdicts reading in the town of Petushki in the Vladimir region, Russia

The three lawyers who used to represent the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny: Igor Sergunin, Alexei Liptser and Vadim Kobzev (L-R in the defendants' cage) attend their verdicts reading in the town of Petushki in the Vladimir region, Russia

Russia: 3 Navalny lawyers sentenced to prison

A Russian court has sentenced three lawyers of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny to between 3.5 and 5.5

People demonstrate in Hamburg against the AfD

People demonstrate in Hamburg against the AfD

2024: A look back in pictures

Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as Donald Trump's reelection, were some of the defining events of the year.

Dokus KW 51 I Am eisigen Grenzposten der Nato

Dokus KW 51 I Am eisigen Grenzposten der Nato

At NATO's icy border post

In the far north of Norway, where western Europe and NATO border Russia, lies Kirkenes.

Three men and a woman (from left: journalists Konstantin Gabov, Antonina Favorskaya, Artyom Kriger and Sergey Karelin) stand in a glass courtroom box, two (Gabov and Favorskaya) are smiling

Three men and a woman (from left: journalists Konstantin Gabov, Antonina Favorskaya, Artyom Kriger and Sergey Karelin) stand in a glass courtroom box, two (Gabov and Favorskaya) are smiling

Russia: Journalists report inhumane conditions in custody

Detained Russian journalists Konstantin Gabov and Sergey Karelin are on trial for supporting the political opposition.

Journalists Konstantin Gabov, Antonina Favorskaya, Artem Kriger and Sergei Karelin stand inside an enclosure for defendants before a court hearing

Journalists Konstantin Gabov, Antonina Favorskaya, Artem Kriger and Sergei Karelin stand inside an enclosure for defendants before a court hearing

Russia places four journalists on trial for 'extremism'

Four journalists have appeared in a Russian court charged with supporting the late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Russian dissidents Ilya Yashin, Vladimir Kara-Murza and Andrei Pivovarov hold a press conference at DW in Bonn after being freed in a multi-country prisoner swap

Russian dissidents Ilya Yashin, Vladimir Kara-Murza and Andrei Pivovarov hold a press conference at DW in Bonn after being freed in a multi-country prisoner swap

Prisoner swap: Russian dissidents conflicted over release

Released as part of a prisoner swap between Russia and the West, opposition figures had mixed feelings about the deal.

A man (Vladimir Kara-Murza) being escorted by police officers

A man (Vladimir Kara-Murza) being escorted by police officers

Russia: Kara-Murza lawyer visits jailed Kremlin critic

Prominent Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza has been in a Siberian prison since April 2023.

Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Alexey Navalny, stands in a queue with other voters at a polling station near the Russian embassy in Berlin, after noon local time, on Sunday, March 17, 2024

Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Alexey Navalny, stands in a queue with other voters at a polling station near the Russian embassy in Berlin, after noon local time, on Sunday, March 17, 2024

Russia issues arrest warrant for Yulia Navalnaya

The widow of Alexei Navalny and an opposition leader in her own right, Navalnaya has been put on Russia's wanted list.

Yulia Navalnaya: Alexei's memory 'gives me strength'

Yulia Navalnaya told DW why it's important to continue the work of her husband, Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Alexey Navalny, stands in a queue with other voters at a polling station near the Russian embassy in Berlin

Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Alexey Navalny, stands in a queue with other voters at a polling station near the Russian embassy in Berlin

Yulia Navalnaya takes on leading role in Russia's opposition

Since the death of her husband, Yulia Navalnaya has become a leading figure in the Russian opposition.

Yulia Navalnaya

Yulia Navalnaya

Can Yulia Navalnaya unite the Russian opposition?

DW has honored Alexei Navalny's widow and the Anti-Corruption Foundation with the Freedom of Speech Award.

Yulia Navalnaya, holding the award, gestures to German Finance Minister Christian Lindner and DW Director General Peter Limbourg. Berlin, June 5, 2024.

Yulia Navalnaya, holding the award, gestures to German Finance Minister Christian Lindner and DW Director General Peter Limbourg. Berlin, June 5, 2024.

Yulia Navalnaya: Free speech is our 'most important weapon'

Although Vladimir Putin killed her husband, Yulia Navalnaya said Russia's leader "didn't silence him and his ideas."

A balding man, Vladimir Kara-Murza, is escorted by police officers ahead of a hearing at Moscow's Basmanny District Court

A balding man, Vladimir Kara-Murza, is escorted by police officers ahead of a hearing at Moscow's Basmanny District Court

Putin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza appeals prison sentence

The Russian activist is serving a lengthy prison sentence, on charges critics have said are politically motivated.

A picture of Alexei Navalny in front of the Russian embassy in Paris on February 16, 2024

A picture of Alexei Navalny in front of the Russian embassy in Paris on February 16, 2024

Dresden Peace Prize goes to the late Alexei Navalny

The widow of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny accepted the Dresden Peace Prize on his behalf.

Yulia Navalnaya waves as she stands in a queue with other voters near the polling station at the Russian embassy in Berlin

Yulia Navalnaya waves as she stands in a queue with other voters near the polling station at the Russian embassy in Berlin

Freedom of Speech Award: DW honors Navalny's widow

Who is Yulia Navalnaya, the winner of this year's DW Freedom of Speech Award?

Russian journalist Konstantin Gabov at a hearing in Moscow

Russian journalist Konstantin Gabov at a hearing in Moscow

Russia: Navalny-linked journalists arrested over 'extremism'

Two Russian journalists have been accused of working for a group founded by the late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Flowers and candles at a memorial for Alexei Navalny

Flowers and candles at a memorial for Alexei Navalny

Russian Orthodox Church suspends Navalny memorial priest

Russia's Orthodox Church suspended the priest who led a memorial service for Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Leonid Volkov, Berater von Alexej Nawalny

Leonid Volkov, Berater von Alexej Nawalny

Leonid Volkov: 2 held in Poland over attack on Navalny aide

Kremlin critic Leonid Volkov was injured by hammerblows last month in Lithuania, where he lives in exile.

Alexei Navalny seen in 2018

Alexei Navalny seen in 2018

Alexei Navalny memoir to be published this fall

Late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny began writing a memoir in 2020 while receiving treatment for nerve agent poisoning.

DW Reporter Protest gegen Putin: Die russische Opposition im Exil

DW Reporter Protest gegen Putin: Die russische Opposition im Exil

Protesting Putin: The Russian opposition in exile

The opposition inside Russia is facing growing difficulties. How is it for those in exile?

A mourner lays flowers on the grave of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny at the Borisovo cemetery in Moscow on March 2, 2024, the next day after Navalny's funeral.

A mourner lays flowers on the grave of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny at the Borisovo cemetery in Moscow on March 2, 2024, the next day after Navalny's funeral.

Mourners in Moscow mark 40 days since Alexei Navalny's death

Navalny's supporters mourn the loss of the prominent opposition leader and find it hard to come to accept his passing.

Polen Russland Wahl

Polen Russland Wahl

Anti-Putin protests on final day of voting

Thousands of people took part in a silent protest by forming long queues at polling stations at noon on Sunday.

People line up to attend voting during a presidential election in the Pacific port city of Vladivostok, east of Moscow, Russia, Sunday, March 17, 2024.

People line up to attend voting during a presidential election in the Pacific port city of Vladivostok, east of Moscow, Russia, Sunday, March 17, 2024.

Russia: Opposition calls on voters to protest against Putin

The "Noon against Putin" protest was initially promoted by late opposition activist Alexei Navalny before his death.

In the city of Grozny, a woman casts her vote in the 2024 Russian presidential election.

In the city of Grozny, a woman casts her vote in the 2024 Russian presidential election.

Russia holds second day of presidential election

Russia has completed the second day of its presidential vote, in which Vladimir Putin is expected to win another term.

A women sits at a desk with papers in front of her while I sign points to the voting station

A women sits at a desk with papers in front of her while I sign points to the voting station

Russia: Voting begins in election Putin is likely to win

The presidential election is all but sure to hand President Vladimir Putin another six-year term.

View of a police car standing at the scene where Leonid Volkov was attacked outside his home

View of a police car standing at the scene where Leonid Volkov was attacked outside his home

Putin critic Volkov defiant after attack

Activist Leonid Volkov, former chief of staff to Alexei Navalny, was attacked outside his home in Vilnius.

Leonid Volkov seen at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2022

Leonid Volkov seen at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2022

Navalny ally Leonid Volkov attacked near home in Lithuania

Lithuanian police launched in investigation into an attack on prominent Russian opposition leader Leonid Volkov.

Yevgeny Prigozhin (left) is seen serving Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (center) at a dinner in 2011

Yevgeny Prigozhin (left) is seen serving Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (center) at a dinner in 2011

The long list of Putin critics targeted by the Kremlin

Many of those who have spoken out publicly against Russian President Vladimir Putin have paid with their lives.

Police officers carrying away a young man

Police officers carrying away a young man

Meet the anti-war Russians who refuse to flee

Despite repression from the Kremlin, some Russian human rights defenders won’t give up their fight against the war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin looks into the camer as he delivers his annual address.

Russian President Vladimir Putin looks into the camer as he delivers his annual address.

Russia's Vladimir Putin up for reelection

President Putin is standing for a fifth term in office. Kremlin critics have described the election as a "parody."

Lyudmila Navalnaya and Anatoly Navalny, parents of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, attend a funeral ceremony for their son at the Borisovo cemetery in Moscow's district of Maryino

Lyudmila Navalnaya and Anatoly Navalny, parents of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, attend a funeral ceremony for their son at the Borisovo cemetery in Moscow's district of Maryino

At Navalny funeral, supporters chant, 'Russia will be free'

Thousands gathered at the church where his funeral was held, in defiance of police and warnings from the Kremlin.

Pallbearers carry the coffin of Alexei Navalny into the church for his funeral service

Pallbearers carry the coffin of Alexei Navalny into the church for his funeral service

Navalny buried at Moscow cemetery after prison death

Crowds chanted "Navalny, Navalny!" as his coffin was carried to and from the church for his funeral and burial.

Yulia Navalnaya stands at a podium in European Parliament

Yulia Navalnaya stands at a podium in European Parliament

Yulia Navalnaya addresses European Parliament

The widow of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny warned against negotiating with Vladimir Putin.

Yulia Navalnaya addresses the EU Parliament

Yulia Navalnaya addresses the EU Parliament

Navalnaya: Navalny won't see future Russia, but we must

Yulia Navalnaya said that her late husband, Alexei Navalny, won't see a "Russia of the future" but "we must."

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Navalny was about to be released in prisoner swap, ally says

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was close to being freed in a prisoner swap before he died, an associate said.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, left, and his wife Yulia after a rally in rain-soaked Moscow in 2013

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, left, and his wife Yulia after a rally in rain-soaked Moscow in 2013

Yulia Navalnaya: What's next for Alexei Navalny's widow?

Russian opposition figures Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Garry Kasparov and Zhanna Nemtsova speak with DW about what lies ahead.

Supporters of Alexei Navalny continue to leave flowers and tributes at the makeshift memorial opposite the Russian Embassy in London on February 19, 2024.

Supporters of Alexei Navalny continue to leave flowers and tributes at the makeshift memorial opposite the Russian Embassy in London on February 19, 2024.

Navalny was to be freed in prisoner swap, ally says

The former Russian opposition leader and two US nationals were in line to be exchanged with a Russian jailed in Germany.

Mucovites lay flowers at a makeshift memorial for Alexei Navalny

Mucovites lay flowers at a makeshift memorial for Alexei Navalny

Alexei Navalny's body reportedly returned to his mother

The body of former Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny has reportedly been released to his mother.

Navalny memorial in Helsinki, Finland

Navalny memorial in Helsinki, Finland

Navalny's team says mother given 'ultimatum' over burial

Navalny's mother has been told her son will be buried at the prison where he died unless she agrees to a closed funeral.

A sign with an image of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny

A sign with an image of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny

Navalny's mother says she's seen son's body

Lyudmila Navalnaya says Russian authorities are pressuring her to have a secret funeral.

DW Podcast | Inside Europe | provisorisch f ROAD

DW Podcast | Inside Europe | provisorisch f ROAD

Inside Europe - 22 February 2024

On the 2nd anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we look at the security and funding situation and talk to DW’s Kyiv correspondent, Nick Connolly. Also: The delicate issue of Norway’s relationship with Russia, how Russia is using cryptocurrency to by-pass international sanctions, and we meet Mstyslav Chernov, director of the BAFTA award winning documentary, 20 Days in Mariupol.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny seen from prison in 2021

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny seen from prison in 2021

Navalny: UK sanctions individuals at Arctic penal colony

The UK said it was sanctioning six people for Navalny's "brutal" treatment at a Siberian penal colony.

A woman in a crowd holding up a "Stop Putin" sign

A woman in a crowd holding up a "Stop Putin" sign

Don't lose hope, 'be more angry' after Navalny death: Gudkov

Exiled opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov tells DW he hopes Alexei Navalny's death will galvanize Russian dissidents.

Dmitry Gudkov, Russian opposition politician

Dmitry Gudkov, Russian opposition politician

A regime that kills its opponents is weak: Dmitry Gudkov

Russians shouldn’t lose hope, says opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov, they should feel rage.

People gather outside the Russian Embassy in Warsaw following the death of Alexei Navalny

People gather outside the Russian Embassy in Warsaw following the death of Alexei Navalny

Navalny's mom to Putin: 'Let me see my son'

Alexei Navalny's mother wants to give her son a proper burial after his death.

Yulia Navalnaya, seen here, has accused President Putin of killing her husband

Yulia Navalnaya, seen here, has accused President Putin of killing her husband

Navalny widow account restored on X after brief suspension

The widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny saw her account restored on X after it was briefly suspended.

A few Russian people gather at spontaneous memorial at the Solovetsky Stone on Trinity Square in Russia, after the death of Alexei Navalny.

A few Russian people gather at spontaneous memorial at the Solovetsky Stone on Trinity Square in Russia, after the death of Alexei Navalny.

Russia: Navalny mourners continue to grieve despite arrest

The family of Alexei Navalny has reportedly been informed that his body will be withheld for two weeks.

Yulia Navalnaya speaking with European Council President Charles Michel

Yulia Navalnaya speaking with European Council President Charles Michel

Yulia Navalnaya steps to political front to oppose Kremlin

Navalnaya seeks more EU support, which has swiftly condemned Russia following Alexei Navalny's death in a penal colony.

Candles and flowers near a black and white photograph of former Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny

Candles and flowers near a black and white photograph of former Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny

Alexei Navalny's death: EU mulls fresh sanctions on Russia

The EU has vowed to hold Moscow accountable after the death of dissident Alexei Navalny.

Yulia Navalnaya addresses a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels

Yulia Navalnaya addresses a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels

Navalny widow says Putin 'killed' her husband

Russian investigators said they are carrying out a 14-day forensic "investigation" of the opposition leader's body.