Yulia Navalnaya has stepped into the limelight, pledging to continue her late husband Alexei Navalny's fight against Russia's authoritarian regime.
Navalny, a staunch advocate for Russian democracy and a critic of Putin's rule, passed away at 47 while in Russian custody, sparking shock and outrage worldwide.
In a video statement, Navalnaya declared her intention to carry on her husband's work, vowing to fight for their country's future.
She accused the Kremlin of withholding Navalny's body to conceal evidence of his alleged murder, expressing confidence that justice would be served.
Navalnaya, 47, holds an economics degree and married Navalny in 2000 after meeting him in Turkey in 1998. The couple had two children and were once members of the Yabloko Party.
Navalnaya gained prominence in 2020 when she spoke out against her husband's poisoning, surviving an attempt on her own life. She demanded his transfer to a German hospital for treatment.
She has rejected the label of "first lady of the Russian opposition," emphasizing her independent role in politics.
Navalnaya has been an active participant in protests against Putin's regime, often standing alongside her husband and facing arrest.
In 2023, she represented Navalny at the Oscars, where a film about his life won best documentary feature. She expressed hope for his release and for a free Russia.
After joining X, Navalnaya's account was briefly suspended, prompting criticism and demands for clarification from X owner Elon Musk. Her account was later restored, with X citing a mistake in their spam detection system.
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