A wave of political protests gripped Russia last week. Thousands of people joined protests in various Russia cities, reportedly protesting under minus -50 degree celesius temperatures and demanding the release of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. The opposition leader Alexei Navalny was arrested on January 18 just a few hours after landing at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport from Germany, where he was recovering from a poisoning attack.
Thousands of protesters detained
More than 30,000 protesters were arrested on January 23, in what was seen as one of the largest displays of resentment against President Vladimir Putin. People took to the streets and rallied across many cities to demand the immediate release of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Videos posted on social media showed crowds gathering in groups, marching, chanting slogans against President Vladimir Putin, and getting into heated tussles with riot police.
In one of the most viral video, protesters were seen pelting the riot police with snowballs.
Who is Alexei Navalny?
Alexei Navalny is a strong critic of Vladimir Putin and Russia’s best-known opposition leader. The 44-year-old lawyer-turned-activist has a huge following on social media.
Navalny is considered to be an anti-corruption crusader and has been leading the anti-corruption movement in Russia. He rose to prominence after he exposed corruption in the Russian government. He has investigated the wealth of Russia’s political circle.
Navalny has also published an investigation against President Putin accusing him of obtaining funds to build a massive estate near the town of Gelendzhik in Krasnodar Krai,
He took a political plunge in 2013 when he came second for Mayor of Moscow. In 2018, he was barred from standing against Putin in the Presidential election.
He has been jailed repeatedly in connection with protests and trumped-up politically motivated charges. His campaign against Putin has resulted in him getting arrested on multiple occasions. In 2012, Putin ordered Russia's Investigative Committee to launch a criminal inquiry into Navalny's past.
Why is he so significant?
Alexei Navalny is being considered the face of opposition in Russia and has emerged perfect challenger to Vladimir Putin. He has a huge following in Russia which is now taking to the streets to protest his arrest. After having survived multiple attacks to eliminate him, Navalny’s return to Russia was a significant blow to Putin. Kremlin was left in a dilemma and the recent crackdown has only helped Navalny following to grow. Navalny has already garnered a lot of goodwill from the Russian people and the longer he stays in jail, the more intensified the protests are going to get. With Russian authorities not budging from their stand, more nationwide protests are expected to take place in Russia.
