The mysterious absence of Alexey Navalny, Russia’s prominent opposition leader, has raised significant concerns among his supporters and international observers. Navalny has been missing for over 17 days, an unprecedented duration in his public life, leading to heightened anxiety about his well-being and safety.
Navalny’s team has expressed grave concern, stating he was not brought to two scheduled trials conducted via video link. This unusual disappearance coincides with Russian President Vladimir Putin announcing his intention to run in the March 2024 elections, potentially extending his power until at least 2030.
Vladimir Milov, a former Russian deputy energy minister and now an adviser to Navalny, has voiced his suspicions to CNN’s Richard Quest. Milov believes Navalny’s disappearance is a deliberate tactic by the Kremlin, coinciding with the announcement of what he termed as “sham presidential elections.” Milov emphasized that Putin aims to intimidate and suppress opposition forces, ensuring Navalny’s voice remains unheard during the election period.
Alexei Navalny disappears as Putin confirms he will run for Russian president again.(
Norman Hermant
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Efforts to locate Navalny have been challenging. His team and lawyers have been tirelessly inquiring with various detention facilities across Russia, but so far, there has been no concrete information on his whereabouts. Some detention centers have confirmed that Navalny is not present, while others have yet to respond. The Kremlin has maintained that it does not monitor the fate of prisoners, further compounding the mystery surrounding Navalny’s location.
Navalny, known for his staunch opposition to Putin and his anti-corruption campaigns, has faced a series of charges, which he and his supporters claim are politically motivated. His return to Russia in 2021 from Germany, where he was recovering from a nerve agent poisoning, led to immediate arrest. His continued criticism of the Kremlin and its policies, especially regarding the war in Ukraine, has been a thorn in the side of Putin’s administration.
The international community, including the United States and France, has expressed concern over Navalny’s sudden disappearance. Amnesty International has also highlighted the possibility of Navalny being subjected to an enforced disappearance, adding to the gravity of the situation.
