Alexei Navalny Sacrificed Himself to Show Russia That Putin Is a Monster ( www.thedailybeast.com )

Navalny’s friends knew he was willing to become a martyr if that’s what it took to stand up to Putin.

Alexei Navalny’s long struggle against President Putin began with a humorous blog and culminated in repeated demonstrations of his willingness to risk his own life. According to the Russian authorities on Friday, he has now died in prison.

Russia’s leading opposition voice has been silenced.

Other dissident figures went into exile or died in mysterious circumstances over the past decade, leaving Navalny as the last national figure with a dedicated following.

Though he had been arrested many times before, Navalny’s defining moment in the eyes of many Russians came after the attempt to assassinate him with Novichok. He recuperated in the sanctuary of a German hospital but chose to defy Putin and return to Russia in January 2021, knowing full well he would end up in prison.

Mike1576218 ,

Hthhhhh%hhhdqhh%ud

RememberTheApollo_ ,

If Russia is like the US with trump, then there’s the active population who are supporting Putin, because even if he’s a bastard, at least he hurts the right people. Then there’s an apathetic horde, who don’t care or are too beaten down to do anything. Then there’s the group that know what’s up and wants change.

The question is if Navalny’s death meant anything. The people who care are already at a disadvantage because of the authoritarian State, the supporters aren’t going to change, and the apathetic don’t have time to care. IMO he would have been better off, alive, outside of Russia and criticizing Putin.

scemmy ,

What you said could be true of any event, but reality is, each of these events influence apathetic people to either become supporters of the regime or anti-establishment.

At least, that's my theory. If not, there would never have been any progress in human society, if things are as static as you theorized.

Linkerbaan ,
@Linkerbaan@lemmy.world avatar

I don't understand why he returned to Russia just to get killed.

It doesn't seem to have achieved anything. Did he think the rigged Russian courts would save him?

Snowden and Assange doing everything they can to stay out of the claws of their fascist overlords, but Navalny just handed himself over to his...

rdri ,

Those who don't understand that paid little attention to his life and his fight. I suggest you checking out the Navalny documentary at least.

Chocrates ,

Got a title or a link for the uninformed?

rdri ,

It's called Navalny. They made it available for free here though not sure if proper subtitles are included
https://navalny-film.io/

Otherwise it's on streaming platforms and torrents.

thesporkeffect ,

Don't idolize people, especially don't idolize politicians. He died for a generally pro-social cause but that is the extent of the take-away here

thesporkeffect ,
  1. Fuck Putin to death
  2. Explain to me why it's good to idolize a public figure, you cowards
KevonLooney ,

Be careful who you praise:

Navalny took part in the Russian March, an annual demonstration in Moscow that draws ultranationalists, including some who adopt swastika-like symbols. In 2008, Navalny, like an apparent majority of Russians, supported Russian aggression in Georgia. In 2013, he made illegal immigration from Central Asia a central theme of his campaign for mayor of Moscow. In 2014, after Russia occupied Crimea, he said that, while he opposed the invasion, he did not think that Crimea could be just “handed back” by a post-Putin Russian government.

https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/the-evolution-of-alexey-navalnys-nationalism

ThirdWorldOrder ,
@ThirdWorldOrder@lemm.ee avatar

Better than Putin. Navalny was at least a step in the right direction, despite his many flaws.

KevonLooney ,

Better in the sense that there were Nazis less crazy than Hitler? Dude supported the invasion and annexation of part of Georgia, and said Russia shouldn't give back Crimea to Ukraine in 2014.

He apologized later, but when he was running for president he was still a bad dude.

mindbleach ,

Everyone you'd prefer was already murdered by Putin.

Give credit where it's due for standing up against outright dictatorship.

resetbypeer ,

The day we all knew was coming, sadly. The day he set foot on that plane back to Moscow from Germany, it was not a question of if but when this would happen.

Imgonnatrythis ,

Further investigation has revealed he died of a rare condition where his balls were just too damn big.
There are a lot of people in Russia, but not many at all this brave and resolute.
I hope his death awakens more of this rebellious spirit. All evil dictators have a tipping point. Nothing is impossible.
Fuck Putin. Fuck the oligarchy. Fuck the propaganda machine. Fuck the military. Fuck them hard.

xc2215x ,

Putin was one already.

Gbagginsthe3rd ,

I always questioned why he went back to Russia. I thought he could have done so much more outside of a Russian prison. Intentionally in the middle of nowhere, cut off from his supporters and fellow Russians

But he loved his country and held steadfast in his principles. He is a greater man than many. Could you trust yourself on how you would act when tested the way he was.

RootBeerGuy ,
@RootBeerGuy@discuss.tchncs.de avatar

There have been examples of the past where martyrs did change the direction of history. Maybe he hoped it would be similar and I guess we are at the find out stage.

agitatedpotato ,

Even Lenin stayed out of Russia when the government set it sights on him and waited for a more oportune time to come back. Here's to hoping Martyrdom will change things, but Russians are very very used to things getting worse and just taking it on the chin.

MrFunnyMoustache ,

I thought the same, couldn't figure out why he returned to Russia when he could do more when he was free. Still, his courage is admirable, I wouldn't have been able to steel my nerves to do what's right in the face of these dangers.

Deceptichum ,
@Deceptichum@kbin.social avatar

Going back to be locked up, abused, and die isn’t exactly “right”.

What’s better is to live another day to continue fighting.

MrFunnyMoustache ,

I meant in general when opposing powerful bad people, like had he stayed in Germany and continued fighting. I wouldn't have been able to steel myself to become someone who is a direct enemy of someone who clearly has the power and intent to assassinate his opponents.

Technofrood ,

I mean I doubt he would have been safe even if he didn't go back. Maybe a little bit, but how long before he gets polonium tea, or nerve agented?

s0ckpuppet ,

They already had tried to get him with Novichock and just barely didn't kill him. I'm sure they'd have tried again.

captainlezbian ,

He seems like a true patriot in a land of nationalists

SkyezOpen ,

Could you trust yourself on how you would act when tested the way he was.

Absolutely. I trust that I would run away like a little bitch. Dude had balls of steel and I truly hope he managed to show the Russian population what a tyrant putin is.

snownyte ,
@snownyte@kbin.social avatar

The sacrifice was in vain, we know Putin is a shithead.

rikudou ,

Which "we" are you talking about? Because a lot of Russians vote for him (and I don't mean just the fake votes, but the real ones as well).

Poem_for_your_sprog ,

Votes don't matter in Russia

Gullible ,

They matter. You vote Putin or you vote Putin but the government notes your impropriety. Voting is a purity test.

some_designer_dude ,

The Russian ballot box is a paper shredder that increments “Putin” by 1.

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