The widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny pledged Monday to carry on the work of her husband, urging followers to “share her rage” and help her bring about a more democratic Russia.
Yulia Navalnaya issued her call on the YouTube channel that Mr. Navalny, the most vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, had used to rally followers before dying in an Arctic prison on Friday.
“There should have been another person in my place. But this person was killed by Vladimir Putin,” Ms. Navalnaya said in a nearly nine-minute video.
Ms. Navalnaya hailed her late husband for his sacrifice and humor during his fight against Mr. Putin and his regime, which she described as a band of “thieves and murderers.”
“I will continue the work of Alexei Navalny. I will continue to fight for our country. And I encourage you to stand by my side,” Ms. Navalnaya said. “I ask you to share this anger with me. Anger, rage, hatred for those who have dared to destroy our future.”
She urged Russians to fight against war, corruption and injustice, and to push for fair elections and freedom of expression.
“It is shameful to be intimidated,” she said.
Mr. Navalny was detained in January 2021 after his return to Moscow from Germany following treatment for poisoning that he blamed on the Kremlin.
He had led anti-Kremlin protests for a decade. He’s had multiple prison stints and says charges against him are politically motivated.
The official Russian RT news network on Friday said Mr. Navalny lost consciousness after a walk, and efforts to resuscitate him failed. RT said he had a blood clot at the time of death.
President Biden and other world leaders say Mr. Putin is to blame for his death.
Ms. Navalnaya said she would expose the people responsible for her husband’s death.
“We will tell you their names and show you their faces,” she said.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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