Challenges Faced by Alexei Navalny: Obstacles and Turning Points
A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Alexei Navalny's life and career.
Alexei Navalny was a prominent Russian opposition leader and anti-corruption activist. As the founder of the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) in 2011, he investigated and exposed alleged corruption within the Russian government. Navalny faced multiple arrests and imprisonments throughout his career, which were widely viewed as politically motivated. Amnesty International recognized him as a prisoner of conscience, and he received the Sakharov Prize for his human rights advocacy. He was a vocal critic of Vladimir Putin and a key figure in Russian opposition movements, advocating for democratic reforms and increased government transparency. He died in prison in February 2024.
December 2007: Expulsion from Yabloko
In December 2007, Alexei Navalny was expelled from Yabloko for his nationalist views and for participating in the Russian March after the party lost legislative election to Russian State Duma by receiving only 1.6% votes.
May 2011: Public Opinion on Kirovles Case
In May 2011, according to the Levada Center, 20% of people believed the Kirovles case was due to an actual violation of law, while 54% thought it was related to Navalny's anti-corruption activity.
May 2011: Criminal Investigation Launched Against Navalny
In May 2011, the Russian government initiated a criminal investigation into Alexei Navalny, which media and Navalny himself described as a form of "revenge" and a "fabrication by the security services" following his branding of United Russia as the "party of crooks and thieves."
December 2011: Arrested at Moscow protest
In December 2011, Alexei Navalny was arrested on December 5th, along with approximately 300 others, at a Moscow protest following parliamentary elections and accusations of electoral fraud, and was sentenced to 15 days for defying a government official.
February 2012: Allegations Against Kadyrov
In February 2012, Alexei Navalny concluded that Russian federal money going to Ramzan Kadyrov's Chechen Interior Ministry was being spent in a fraudulent way.
March 2012: Anti-Putin rally in Moscow
In March 2012, after Putin was elected president, Alexei Navalny helped lead an anti-Putin rally in Moscow's Pushkinskaya Square and was detained by authorities for several hours after the rally, and then released.
May 2012: Arrest after anti-Putin rally
On 8 May 2012, Alexei Navalny was arrested with Udaltsov after an anti-Putin rally at Clean Ponds, and given a 15-day jail sentence, leading Amnesty International to designate them prisoners of conscience.
July 2012: Embezzlement Charges
On July 30, 2012, the Investigative Committee charged Alexei Navalny with embezzlement, stating that he had conspired to steal timber from Kirovles in 2009.
December 2012: Interrogation of Yves Rocher Vostok
In November and December 2012, the Investigating Committee interrogated and questioned Yves Rocher Vostok.
April 2013: Loeb & Loeb LLP Analysis
In April 2013, Loeb & Loeb LLP issued "An Analysis of the Russian Federation's prosecutions of Alexei Navalny", concluding that "the Kremlin has reverted to misuse of the Russian legal system to harass, isolate and attempt to silence political opponents".
April 2013: Party files for registration; registration suspended
In April 2013, Navalny's party filed documents for official registration on April 10th, but on April 30th, the registration was suspended.
April 2013: Commencement of Kirovles Trial
In April 2013, the Kirovles trial commenced in the city of Kirov.
May 2013: Shifting Opinions on Kirovles Case
In May 2013, Levada Center data showed that 28% of people thought the Kirovles case was a genuine legal violation, while 47% attributed it to Navalny's anti-corruption efforts, indicating a shift in public perception.
July 2013: Public Opinion on Criminal Case Verdict
In July 2013, 13% of people found the result of another criminal case against Navalny unfair and that he was not guilty, while 17% found the verdict too tough.
July 2013: Party registration declined
In July 2013, specifically on July 5th, Navalny's party was declined registration due to issues with founder attendance at the congress. Navalny responded with a tweet.
September 2013: Continued Shifts in Opinion on Kirovles Case
In September 2013, the Levada Center found that 35% believed the Kirovles case was a legitimate legal matter, while 45% linked it to Navalny's anti-corruption work, continuing the trend of evolving public opinion.
October 2013: Suspension of Prison Sentence
On October 16, 2013, the prison sentence against Alexei Navalny was suspended by a court in Kirov, which remained a burden for his political future.
November 2013: Deprived of advocate status
In November 2013, after the judgement in the Kirovles case had entered into force, Alexei Navalny was deprived of advocate status.
2013: Suspended sentence for embezzlement and Moscow mayoral election
In 2013, Alexei Navalny received a suspended sentence for embezzlement and ran in the Moscow mayoral election, finishing second with 27.2% of the vote.
January 2014: Party files for registration again; registration suspended
In January 2014, on January 8th, Navalny's party filed registration documents for a second time, but the registration was suspended on January 20th due to name similarity issues.
February 2014: House Arrest
On February 28, 2014, Alexei Navalny was placed under house arrest and prohibited from communicating with anyone other than his family, lawyers, and investigators, following the imputed violation of travel restrictions.
September 2014: Further Changes in Perception of Kirovles Case
By September 2014, Levada Center data indicated that 37% of people thought the Kirovles case was due to a legal violation, while 38% associated it with Navalny's anti-corruption activity, showing a convergence of opinions.
September 2014: Party claims to have registered regional branches
In September 2014, specifically on September 26th, Navalny's party declared it had registered 43 regional branches, though an unnamed source disputed the validity of registrations completed after the six-month term. Navalny's blog countered this claim.
December 2014: Yves Rocher Case Verdict
On December 30, 2014, Alexei and Oleg Navalny were found guilty of fraud against MPC and Yves Rocher Vostok and money laundering. Alexei received a suspended sentence, while Oleg was sentenced to prison. Thousands protested, and Alexei was apprehended for breaking house arrest.
2014: Second suspended sentence for embezzlement
In 2014, Alexei Navalny received a second suspended sentence for embezzlement, a decision widely considered politically motivated.
January 2015: Decline in Belief of Unfair Verdict
By January 2015, the share of people who found the result of another criminal case against Navalny unfair and that he was not guilty dropped to 5%.
April 2015: Party initiates coalition; deprived of registration
In April 2015, on April 17th, Navalny's party initiated a coalition of democratic parties. However, on April 28th, the party was deprived of registration by the Ministry of Justice for not registering enough regional branches.
July 2015: Informal Prohibition on Mentioning Navalny's Name
In July 2015, Bloomberg reported that sources familiar with the matter claimed there was an informal prohibition from the Kremlin on senior Russian officials mentioning Navalny's name. Dmitry Peskov, Putin's press secretary, rejected this assumption without mentioning Navalny's name.
October 2015: Payment of Compensation in Yves Rocher Case
On October 7, 2015, Alexei Navalny's lawyer announced that the defendant willingly paid 2.9 million rubles and requested an installment plan for the rest of the 4.4 million rubles compensation in the Yves Rocher case.
November 2016: Supreme Court Overturns 2013 Sentence
On November 16, 2016, Russia's Supreme Court overturned the 2013 sentence against Alexei Navalny, sending the verdict back to the Leninsky District Court in Kirov for review.
2016: Navalny Speaks Out Against Russian Intervention in Syrian Civil War
In 2016, Navalny opposed Russia's intervention in the Syrian civil war, citing internal issues within Russia that needed attention. He argued against supporting Assad and warned that aligning with Shia Islamist groups could incite anger within Russia's Sunni Muslim community.
February 2017: Navalny re-sentenced in Kirovles case; presidential campaign proceeds
On February 8, 2017, the Leninsky district court of Kirov repeated its 2013 sentence in the Kirovles case. Navalny announced his presidential campaign would proceed independently of court decisions.
February 2017: Reiteration of 2013 Sentence
On February 8, 2017, the Leninsky district court of Kirov repeated its sentence of 2013 and charged Alexei Navalny with a five-year suspended sentence. Navalny announced that he would pursue the annulment of the sentence.
March 2017: Publication of "He Is Not Dimon to You" and Anti-Corruption Rallies
In March 2017, Alexei Navalny published the investigation "He Is Not Dimon to You," accusing Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev of corruption. On March 26, Navalny organized anti-corruption rallies across Russia. On March 27, he was fined and jailed for organizing an illegal protest and resisting arrest.
April 2017: Navalny attacked with Zelyonka
On April 27, 2017, Navalny was attacked with brilliant green dye (Zelyonka), possibly mixed with other chemicals, outside his office, resulting in a chemical burn to his right eye and reportedly causing 80 percent vision loss.
July 2017: Navalny released from jail after 25 days
On July 27, 2017, Navalny was released from jail after serving 25 days of a 30-day sentence for organizing illegal protests in Moscow.
September 2017: Human Rights Watch accuses Russian police of interference
In September 2017, Human Rights Watch accused Russian police of systematic interference with Navalny's presidential campaign. On September 21, the Council of Europe invited Russian authorities to erase the prohibition on Navalny's standing for election.
October 2017: Navalny sentenced to 20 days in jail
In October 2017, specifically on October 2nd, Navalny was sentenced to 20 days in jail for calling for participation in protests without state approval.
December 2017: Navalny barred from running for president
In December 2017, Russia's Central Electoral Commission barred Navalny from running for president in 2018 due to his corruption conviction. Navalny called for a boycott of the election.
January 2018: Imprisonment for Staging Protests
In January 2018, Alexei Navalny was imprisoned for staging protests.
January 2018: Navalny leads protests and is arrested
On January 28, 2018, Navalny led protests urging a boycott of the presidential election and was arrested on the same day.
February 2018: Government accuses Navalny of assaulting an officer
On February 5, 2018, the government accused Navalny of assaulting an officer during the January protests.
August 2018: Allegations Against Viktor Zolotov
In August 2018, Alexei Navalny alleged that Viktor Zolotov stole at least US$29 million from procurement contracts for the National Guard of Russia.
September 2018: Navalny arrested and jailed again after release
Immediately after being released from jail on September 25, 2018, Alexei Navalny was arrested, convicted for organising illegal demonstrations and sentenced to another 20 days in jail.
2018: Barred from running in the presidential election
In 2018, Alexei Navalny was barred from running in the presidential election.
April 2019: Moskovsky Shkolnik files lawsuit against Navalny
In April 2019, Moskovsky Shkolnik, a company linked to Yevgeny Prigozhin, filed a lawsuit against Navalny after he alleged the company supplied poor quality food to schools causing a dysentery outbreak.
July 2019: Arrest and Hospitalization
In July 2019, Alexei Navalny was arrested for ten days, and then immediately for 30 days, related to supporting independent candidates in the Moscow City Duma election. On the evening of July 28, he was hospitalized with severe damage to his eyes and skin, with an initial diagnosis of an "allergy" that was disputed. On July 29, he was discharged and taken back to prison, despite objections from his personal physician. Supporters and journalists near the hospital were attacked by the police.
April 2020: Yandex artificially places negative commentary about Navalny in search results
In April 2020, Yandex search engine started artificially placing negative commentary about Navalny on the top positions in its search results for his name. Yandex declared this was part of an "experiment" and returned to presenting organic search results.
June 2020: Slander charges launched against Navalny
In June 2020, slander charges were launched against Navalny for defaming a World War II veteran who participated in a promotional video. Navalny called the case politically motivated.
August 2020: Poisoning with Novichok nerve agent
In August 2020, Alexei Navalny was hospitalized after being severely poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent and was medically evacuated to Berlin.
August 2020: Navalny falls ill during flight from Tomsk to Moscow
On August 20, 2020, Navalny fell ill during a flight from Tomsk to Moscow and was hospitalized in Omsk after an emergency landing. His condition changed suddenly, and he was later found to have been poisoned.
December 2020: Laws passed giving the constitution precedence over international rulings
In December 2020, a series of laws were also passed and signed that gave the constitution precedence over rulings made by international bodies as well international treaties.
January 2021: Bellingcat links Navalny's tracking unit to other deaths
In January 2021, Bellingcat, The Insider and Der Spiegel linked the unit that tracked Navalny to other deaths, including activists Timur Kuashev in 2014 and Ruslan Magomedragimov in 2015, and politician Nikita Isayev in 2019.
January 2021: Court orders Navalny's detention and investigation accusing Putin of corruption is published
On January 18, 2021, a court ordered the detention of Navalny until February 15 for violating his parole. The next day, an investigation by Navalny and the FBK accusing President Vladimir Putin of corruption was published.
January 2021: Publication of Investigation into Putin's Estate
On January 19, 2021, two days after his detention, Alexei Navalny and the FBK published an investigation accusing President Vladimir Putin of using fraudulently obtained funds to build a massive estate near Gelendzhik, alleging it cost over 100 billion rubles ($1.35 billion) to construct.
January 2021: Navalny's lawyers apply to the ECHR for an "interim measure" for his release
On January 20, 2021, Navalny's lawyers applied to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) for an "interim measure" for his release following his detention.
February 2021: Navalny Awarded Boris Nemtsov Prize for Courage
Following Navalny's imprisonment in February 2021, the Boris Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom awarded Navalny the Boris Nemtsov Prize for Courage.
February 2021: European Court of Human Rights rules Russia must release Navalny immediately
On February 16, 2021, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that the Russian government should release Navalny immediately, citing risks to his life. However, Russian officials indicated they would not comply.
March 2021: Navalny accuses authorities of torture
In March 2021, Navalny accused authorities of torture by depriving him of sleep and denying him proper medical treatment, leading him to announce a hunger strike on March 31, 2021.
March 2021: EU and US impose sanctions on Russian officials in response to Navalny's poisoning and imprisonment
In early March 2021, the European Union and the United States imposed sanctions on senior Russian officials in response to Navalny's poisoning and imprisonment.
April 2021: Moscow Prosecutor Orders Navalny's Network to Cease Activities
In April 2021, Moscow's prosecutor office ordered Navalny's network of regional offices, including those of the FBK, to cease its activities, pending a court ruling on whether to designate them as extremist organizations. Volkov explained that it would limit many of the group's activities. The move was condemned by Germany and Amnesty International, who stated the objective was to raze Alexei Navalny's movement while he was in prison.
April 2021: Moscow Prosecutor Requests Designation of Navalny's Organizations as Extremist
In April 2021, the Moscow prosecutor office requested the Moscow City Court to designate organizations linked to Navalny, including the Anti-Corruption Foundation and his headquarters, as extremist organizations, claiming they destabilized the socio-political situation. In response, Navalny's aide, Leonid Volkov, stated that Putin had announced full-scale mass political repression in Russia.
April 2021: Report claims Navalny in immediate need of medical attention
On April 17, 2021, it was reported that Navalny was in immediate need of medical attention. Doctors asked prison officials to grant them access, stating "our patient can die any minute".
April 2021: Navalny's Team Announces Dissolution of Political Network
On April 29, 2021, Navalny's team announced that the political network would be dissolved, in advance of a court ruling in May expected to designate it as extremist. Volkov stated the headquarters would be transformed into independent political organizations. On the same day, a new criminal case was opened against Navalny for allegedly setting up a non-profit organization that infringed on the rights of citizens.
April 2021: Doctors arrested while attempting to visit Navalny
On April 6, 2021, six doctors, including Navalny's personal physician, Anastasia Vasilyeva, were arrested outside the prison when they attempted to visit Navalny as his health deteriorated.
May 2021: Navalny Listed as Prisoner of Conscience by Amnesty International
In May 2021, Amnesty International (AI) listed Navalny as a prisoner of conscience, stating that his incarceration was primarily due to his political beliefs.
June 2021: Newspapers still being censored
As of June 2021, Navalny's newspapers were still being censored as articles were cut out.
June 2021: Navalny's Political Network Designated as Extremist Organizations
On June 9, 2021, Navalny's political network, including his headquarters and the FBK, were designated as extremist organizations and liquidated by the Moscow City Court. The court upheld the administrative claim of the prosecutor of Moscow city Denis Popov and decided to recognize the Anti-Corruption Foundation as an extremist organization, to liquidate it and to confiscate its assets.
August 2021: Court Upholds Decision to Designate Navalny's Organizations as Extremist
On August 4, 2021, the First Court of Appeal of General Jurisdiction in Moscow upheld the decision of the lower court, designating Navalny's organizations as extremist. The case hearing was held in camera, and Navalny was not a party to the proceedings. The prosecutor stated that the defendants were extremist organizations because they wanted a change of power in Russia.
October 2021: Navalny Designated as "Terrorist" and "Extremist" by Prison Commission
In October 2021, Navalny stated that the Russian prison commission designated him as a "terrorist" and "extremist", but he was no longer regarded as a flight risk.
December 2021: Cassational Appeal Filed
On December 28, 2021, the Anti-Corruption Foundation, the Citizens' Rights Protection Foundation and 18 individuals, including Alexei Navalny, filed a cassational appeal with the Second Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction.
January 2022: Russia Adds Navalny to "Terrorists and Extremists" List
In January 2022, Russia added Alexei Navalny and his aides to the "terrorists and extremists" list.
February 2022: Navalny Faces New Trial on Fraud and Contempt of Court Charges
In February 2022, Alexei Navalny faced an additional 10 to 15 years in prison in a new trial on fraud and contempt of court charges. The charges alleged that he stole $4.7m of donations and insulted a judge. Amnesty International called the charges "arbitrary" and "politically motivated".
February 2022: Witness Refuses to Testify Against Navalny; Navalny Condemns Invasion of Ukraine
On February 21, 2022, a prosecution witness refused to testify against Navalny in the trial. On February 24, 2022, Navalny condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and asked the court to include his statement in the trial's protocol, calling the war a distraction.
March 2022: Sentenced to additional nine years in prison
In March 2022, Alexei Navalny was sentenced to an additional nine years in prison after being found guilty of embezzlement and contempt of court in a trial described as a sham by Amnesty International.
March 2022: Navalny Found Guilty, Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison
On March 22, 2022, Navalny was found guilty of contempt of court and embezzlement and given a 9-year sentence in a maximum-security prison, as well as ordered to pay a fine of 1.2 million rubles. Amnesty International described the trial as a "sham".
March 2022: Court Rejects Appeals, Upholds Judgements
On March 25, 2022, the Second Court of Cassation rejected all the appeals and upheld the judgements of the lower courts regarding the designation of Navalny's organizations as extremist.
May 2022: Navalny's Appeal Against Sentence Begins, Judgement Upheld
On May 17, 2022, Navalny opened an appeal process against the sentence. On May 24, the Moscow City Court upheld the judgement of the court of first instance.
May 2022: Navalny Officially Notified About New Extremism Charges
On May 31, 2022, Navalny was officially notified about new charges of extremism brought against him, in which he was facing up to an additional 15 years in prison.
June 2022: Navalny Transferred to Maximum Security Prison
In mid-June 2022, Navalny was transferred to the maximum security prison IK-6 in Melekhovo, Vladimir Oblast.
June 2022: Navalny Loses Appeal on "Extremist" and "Terrorist" Designation
On June 28, 2022, Navalny lost his appeal regarding his designation as "extremist" and "terrorist".
September 2022: Navalny Placed in Solitary Confinement
On September 7, 2022, Navalny said he had been placed in solitary confinement for the fourth time in just over a month. On September 8, 2022, he said his attorney-client privilege was revoked with prison authorities accusing him of continuing to commit crimes from prison.
November 2022: Navalny States He Is Now In Permanent Solitary Confinement
On November 17, 2022, Navalny stated that he was now in permanent solitary confinement. Infractions included not buttoning his collar, not cleaning the prison yard well enough, and that he addressed a prison official by his military rank rather than his patronymic.
January 2023: Doctors Demand End to Abuse of Navalny; Navalny Transferred to Isolated Punishment Cell
On January 10, 2023, over 400 doctors in Russia signed an open letter to president Putin demanding that prison authorities "stop abusing" Navalny. Less than a month later, Navalny was transferred to an isolated punishment cell for the maximum term of six months.
February 2023: Navalny Condemns Putin's Actions in Ukraine
In February 2023, Alexei Navalny condemned Vladimir Putin for "destroying" Russia's future by occupying Ukraine. He insisted Russia should recognize Ukraine's 1991 borders, pay post-war reparations, and support an international war crimes investigation.
August 2023: Sentenced to 19 years on extremism charges
In August 2023, Alexei Navalny received another sentence of 19 years on extremism charges.
August 2023: Navalny Sentenced to Additional 19 Years in Prison
On August 4, 2023, Navalny was sentenced to an additional 19 years in a "special regime" colony on charges including publicly inciting extremist activity, financing extremist activity, and "rehabilitating Nazi ideology." Navalny expected a "Stalinist" sentence and called on supporters to fight against corruption.
October 2023: Arrest of Navalny's Lawyers
On October 13, 2023, Igor Sergunin, Alexei Liptser and Vadim Kobzev, three of Navalny's lawyers, were arrested and charged with "participation in an extremist community" for passing on his messages. The punishment for this crime is up to 6 years in prison.
October 2023: Navalny's Lawyers Detained on Extremism Charges
On October 13, 2023, three of Navalny's lawyers were detained on charges about participating in an "extremist group". Navalny commented that "Just like in Soviet times, not only political activists are being prosecuted and turned into political prisoners, but their lawyers, too".
December 2023: Disappearance and Re-emergence in Arctic Circle Colony
In December 2023, Alexei Navalny went missing from prison for almost three weeks, before re-emerging in an Arctic Circle corrective colony in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.
December 2023: Navalny's Whereabouts Unknown After Being Removed From Penal Colony
On December 11, 2023, Navalny's aides revealed they had not had any contact with Navalny for six days. He was removed from the penal colony where he had been imprisoned and his current whereabouts were not known. On December 25, 2023, he was discovered to be in the IK-3 "special regime" colony.
February 2024: Navalny calls for anti-Putin protest during 2024 Russian election
In February 2024, Navalny and his allies urged supporters to protest against President Vladimir Putin and the invasion of Ukraine. They suggested voting against Putin simultaneously during the third day of the 2024 Russian presidential election.
2036: Potential End of Putin's Extended Term
In 2036, under the constitutional amendments that Navalny campaigned against, President Putin's potential extended term in office would end, assuming he serves the maximum two additional terms allowed by the reforms.
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