Sun Feb 16 23:03:00 UTC 2025: ## Thousands Mourn Alexei Navalny on First Anniversary of Death Despite Reprisal Fears
**Moscow, February 17, 2025** – Despite the risk of reprisals and freezing temperatures, an estimated 1,500 Russians gathered at the grave of opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Sunday to mark the first anniversary of his death in prison. Navalny, a prominent critic of Vladimir Putin, died on February 16, 2024, in a penal colony above the Arctic Circle. Russia’s official explanation of his death—that he died during a prison yard walk—remains unconvincing.
Navalny’s mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, demanded a full investigation and the punishment of those responsible, stating that the world knows who ordered his death, but the perpetrators and enablers need to be identified. His widow, Yulia Navalnaya, currently in exile, emphasized his enduring legacy in uniting the Russian people and called for a free and peaceful Russia. The European Union (EU) placed ultimate responsibility for Navalny’s death on Putin, a sentiment echoed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Despite the risks, mourners braved the cold, laying flowers and paying their respects. Many expressed personal connections to Navalny, citing his poisoning, imprisonment, and the subsequent crackdown on dissent as catalysts for their support. Pro-Kremlin media outlets, however, warned supporters against attending the commemoration.
The event underscores the ongoing suppression of dissent in Russia. Mentioning Navalny or his Anti-Corruption Foundation without acknowledging their “extremist” designation carries significant legal penalties. Several journalists and lawyers supporting Navalny have already faced imprisonment. The anniversary also highlights the continued infighting and weakening of Russia’s exiled opposition movement. The commemoration in Moscow coincided with a smaller gathering outside the Russian embassy in Berlin, where exiled Russians also paid tribute to Navalny.
First Piper 