Russia issues arrest warrant for Yulia Navalnaya, Alexei Navalny'a widow
Russia has issued an arrest warrant for Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Alexei Navalny and a prominent dissident in exile, citing her involvement in an "extremist" group. The warrant was issued in absentia by a Moscow court on Tuesday, five months after Navalny's death in a Russian Arctic penal colony. Navalnaya blamed President Vladimir Putin for her husband's death. In Russia, the term "extremist" is often used by courts to label dissident or independent civic groups, typically aligning with Kremlin directives.
Navalnaya charged with alleged extremist group involvement
The Basmanny District Court in Moscow has accused Navalnaya of alleged involvement in an extremist group. The specifics of these charges have not been disclosed by Russian authorities. It is speculated that the charges may be linked to her association with the Foundation for Fighting Corruption, a group founded by her late husband and declared extremist by a court ruling in 2021. Currently residing abroad, Navalnaya would face arrest upon her return to Russia.
Navalnaya continues late husband's fight against corruption
Navalny, an adversary of President Putin, died in February while serving a 19-year sentence in an Arctic penal colony. Convicted on extremism charges that he labeled as politically motivated, Navalny had previously been recovering from a nerve agent poisoning incident in 2020 that he attributed to the Kremlin. His widow, Navalnaya, has publicly accused Putin of being responsible for her husband's death and vowed to continue his work.
International condemnation follows Moscow court's decision
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has condemned the Moscow court's decision, stating it represents "an arrest warrant against the desire for freedom and democracy." He also recognized Navalnaya's efforts to uphold her husband's legacy. Meanwhile, Navalnaya responded to the court order on social media, mocking the decision and suggesting that Putin should be prosecuted instead. Her spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh, interpreted the ruling as an acknowledgment of Navalnaya's "merits."
