Early Life and Education of Alexei Navalny: A Complete Timeline
Discover the defining moments in the early life of Alexei Navalny. From birth to education, explore key events.
Alexei Anatolyevich Navalny was a prominent Russian opposition leader and anti-corruption activist. He founded the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) in 2011 to investigate and expose corruption within the Russian government. Navalny gained international recognition for his activism, including being designated a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International and receiving the Sakharov Prize. He was considered a political prisoner, facing numerous arrests and convictions widely viewed as politically motivated. He was a vocal critic of Vladimir Putin and the Russian government, and his work significantly impacted Russian politics.
1947: Birth of Anatoly Ivanovich Navalny
Anatoly Ivanovich Navalny, Alexei Navalny's father, was born in 1947. He is of Ukrainian ethnicity and originally from Zalissia.
1954: Birth of Lyudmila Ivanovna Navalnaya
Lyudmila Ivanovna Navalnaya, Alexei Navalny's mother, was born in 1954. She is originally from Zelenograd.
June 1976: Birth of Alexei Navalny
Alexei Anatolyevich Navalny was born on June 4, 1976, in Butyn, Russia, which was then part of the Soviet Union.
1979: Reference to Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
In February 2022, Alexei Navalny compared Russia's recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics to the Soviet Union's 1979 invasion of Afghanistan, describing both events as distractions.
1991: Reference to Ukraine's Borders
On 20 February 2023, Alexei Navalny called for an end to the occupation of Ukraine, and recognition of Ukraine's borders as they were established in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
1993: Graduation from Kalininets Secondary School
In 1993, Alexei Navalny graduated from Kalininets secondary school, marking the completion of his secondary education.
1994: Navalny's Parents Start Basket-Weaving Factory
In 1994, Alexei Navalny's parents started a basket-weaving factory in Kobyakovo, Vologda Oblast, which they continued to operate as of 2012.
1998: Graduation from Peoples' Friendship University of Russia
In 1998, Alexei Navalny graduated from the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia with a law degree, marking a significant step in his academic and professional development.
1998: Navalny lived in a three-room apartment in Moscow
Starting in 1998, Navalny primarily lived in a three-room apartment in Maryino District in southeast Moscow.
2001: Graduation from Financial University
In 2001, Alexei Navalny graduated from the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, specializing in securities and exchanges.
2006: Navalny Participates in "Russian March"
In 2006, Alexei Navalny participated in the "Russian march", an event uniting various Russian nationalist groups.
2006: Navalny and the Russian March
In late 2006, Navalny appealed to the Moscow City Hall requesting permission to conduct the nationalist 2006 Russian march, while also condemning ethnic hatred and xenophobia.
December 2007: Expelled from Yabloko Party
In December 2007, Alexei Navalny was expelled from the Yabloko party due to his nationalist views and participation in the Russian March, following a proposal to reform the party after poor election results.
2007: Co-founding of NAROD and Anti-Immigration Videos
In 2007, Alexei Navalny co-founded the National Russian Liberation Movement (NAROD) and released anti-immigration videos.
2008: Initial Support for Russo-Georgian War
In 2008, Alexei Navalny initially supported the Russo-Georgian War and made controversial statements about Georgians, which he later apologized for.
2010: Yale World Fellows Program
In 2010, Alexei Navalny received a scholarship to the Yale World Fellows program at Yale University, studying political science and world affairs. He aimed to create a global network of emerging leaders and broaden international understanding.
February 2011: Navalny Calls United Russia "Party of Crooks and Thieves"
In February 2011, Alexei Navalny referred to the United Russia party as a "party of crooks and thieves" during an interview, a phrase that gained popularity among the opposition.
May 2011: Public Opinion on Kirovles Case
In May 2011, according to Levada Center, 20% of people thought the Kirovles case had been caused by an actual violation of law, while 54% agreed the rationale beyond the case was his anti-corruption activity.
May 2011: Criminal Investigation Launched Against Navalny
In May 2011, the Russian government initiated a criminal investigation into Alexei Navalny, which was widely perceived as retaliation for his activities.
December 2011: Arrested at Moscow Protest
In December 2011, Alexei Navalny was arrested during a protest in Moscow following parliamentary elections and accusations of electoral fraud. He was sentenced to 15 days for defying a government official.
December 2011: Call for Unity Against Putin
Upon his release on December 20, 2011, Alexei Navalny called on Russians to unite against Putin, anticipating Putin's claim of victory in the upcoming presidential election.
2011: Navalny Identifies as a Nationalist Democrat
In 2011, Alexei Navalny declared himself a "nationalist democrat" and co-organized the "Russian march".
2011: United Russia Labelled "Party of Crooks and Thieves"
In a 2011 interview, Alexei Navalny famously described Russia's ruling party, United Russia, as a "party of crooks and thieves", a label that quickly gained widespread popularity and became synonymous with the party.
March 2012: Anti-Putin Rally and Detention
In March 2012, Alexei Navalny helped lead an anti-Putin rally in Moscow, attended by thousands. Following the rally, Navalny was detained by authorities for several hours.
March 2012: Presidential Election
On March 4, 2012, the presidential election was held.
May 2012: Arrest After Anti-Putin Rally
On May 8, 2012, Alexei Navalny and Udaltsov were arrested after an anti-Putin rally at Clean Ponds, and were each given 15-day jail sentences. Amnesty International designated the two men prisoners of conscience.
June 2012: Announcement of New Political Party Based on E-Democracy
On June 26, 2012, it was announced that Navalny's comrades would establish a new political party based on e-democracy, though Navalny did not plan to participate in this project at the time.
December 2012: Expressed Support of The People's Alliance Party
On December 15, 2012, Navalny expressed his support of The People's Alliance party, stating "The People's Alliance is my party", but refused to join it due to the criminal cases against him.
2012: Parents still running factory as of 2012
As of 2012, Alexei Navalny's parents were still running the basket-weaving factory they started in 1994, in Kobyakovo, Vologda Oblast.
April 2013: Documents Filed for Official Registration of The People's Alliance Party
On April 10, 2013, The People's Alliance party filed documents for official registration, marking a step towards becoming a recognized political entity.
May 2013: Shifting Opinions on Kirovles Case
In May 2013, Levada Center found that 28% believed the Kirovles case was a violation of law, and 47% attributed it to Navalny's anti-corruption efforts.
July 2013: Initial Reactions to Criminal Case Verdict
In July 2013, 13% found the result of another criminal case against him was unfair and Navalny was not guilty while 17% found the verdict was too tough.
July 2013: Registration of The People's Alliance Party Declined
On July 5, 2013, the registration of The People's Alliance party was declined, reportedly because not all founders were present during the congress.
September 2013: Navalny Declared He Would Join The People's Alliance
Following the mayoral election, on September 15, 2013, Alexei Navalny declared that he would join and possibly head The People's Alliance party.
September 2013: Further Shifts in Opinion
In September 2013, the Levada Center reported that 35% considered the Kirovles case a legal violation, while 45% linked it to Navalny's anti-corruption work.
November 2013: Deprived of Advocate Status
In November 2013, following the judgment in the Kirovles case, Alexei Navalny was deprived of his advocate status, impacting his ability to practice law.
2013: Suspended Sentence for Embezzlement and Moscow Mayoral Election
In 2013, Alexei Navalny received a suspended sentence for embezzlement, a case widely seen as politically motivated. Despite this, he ran in the 2013 Moscow mayoral election, securing second place with 27.2% of the vote.
2013: Navalny's Stance on Immigration after Moscow Riots
In 2013, following ethnic riots in Moscow, Alexei Navalny expressed sympathy for the anti-immigration movement and commented on ethnic tensions. Later expressed the need to educate nationalists and solve immigration through democratic means.
March 2014: Navalny Urges Sanctions After Crimea Annexation
In March 2014, following Russia's annexation of Crimea, Alexei Navalny called for further sanctions against individuals linked to Putin and proposed his own list.
September 2014: Changing Perceptions of the Kirovles Case
In September 2014, the Levada Center indicated that 37% believed the Kirovles case was a legal violation, and 38% attributed it to Navalny's anti-corruption activity.
October 2014: Suggestion for New Crimean Referendum
In October 2014, Alexei Navalny suggested that the future of Crimea should be determined by a new, fair referendum.
2014: Second Suspended Sentence for Embezzlement
In 2014, Alexei Navalny received a second suspended sentence for embezzlement, a conviction also viewed by many as politically motivated and designed to prevent him from participating in future elections.
January 2015: Decline in Belief of Unfair Verdict
In January 2015, the share of those who found the result of another criminal case against him was unfair and Navalny was not guilty dropped to 5%, and the number of those who found the verdict was too tough also fell to 9%.
2016: Opposition to Russian Intervention in Syria
In 2016, Alexei Navalny spoke out against the Russian intervention in the Syrian civil war, emphasizing internal problems in Russia.
2016: Deemphasis of Immigration Statements
Since 2016, Alexei Navalny has deemphasized his past statements on immigration.
2017: Continued Advocacy for Transnistrian Independence
In 2017, Alexei Navalny reiterated his stance from 2008 that Russia should recognize the independence of Transnistria.
2017: Support for Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage
In 2017, Leonid Volkov, Navalny's chief of staff, stated that Navalny's team supports the legalization of same-sex marriage.
January 2018: Navalny Imprisoned for Staging Protests
In January 2018, Alexei Navalny was imprisoned for staging protests.
2018: Barred from 2018 Presidential Election
In 2018, Alexei Navalny was barred from running in the presidential election, a move that further highlighted the political obstacles he faced in his opposition to the Russian government.
2018: Criticism of Putin After Orthodox Church of Ukraine Establishment
In 2018, following the establishment of the autonomous Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Alexei Navalny criticized Putin, blaming him for damaging the "Russian World."
August 2019: Assassination of Zelimkhan Khangoshvili
In August 2019, Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, a Georgian national and ethnic Chechen who opposed Putin's regime, was assassinated in Berlin's Tiergarten Park.
June 2020: Support for Black Lives Matter Protests
In June 2020, Alexei Navalny voiced his support for the Black Lives Matter protests against racism.
August 2020: Poisoning with Novichok Nerve Agent
In August 2020, Alexei Navalny was severely poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent. He was hospitalized and medically evacuated to Berlin for treatment.
August 2020: Navalny Falls Ill on Flight and Hospitalized
On 20 August 2020, Alexei Navalny became ill during a flight from Tomsk to Moscow and was hospitalized in Omsk after an emergency landing. His condition changed rapidly and violently on the plane, leading to the emergency landing.
September 2020: Levada Center Poll Results on Navalny
In September 2020, a Levada Center poll indicated that 20% of Russians approved of Alexei Navalny's activities, while 50% disapproved, and 18% were unfamiliar with him.
December 2020: Navalny Releases Video Exposing Poisoning Details
On 21 December 2020, Alexei Navalny released a video of himself impersonating a Russian security official and speaking with a chemical weapons expert. The expert revealed the poison was placed on Navalny's clothing, specifically his underwear.
January 2021: Court Orders Detention of Navalny and Investigation Published
On 18 January 2021, a court ordered the detention of Alexei Navalny until 15 February for violating his parole. The next day, an investigation by Navalny and the FBK was published accusing President Vladimir Putin of corruption, leading to mass protests.
January 2021: Navalny's Lawyers Apply to ECHR for Interim Measure
On 20 January 2021, Alexei Navalny's lawyers applied to the European Court of Human Rights for an "interim measure" for his release after his detention.
February 2021: European Court of Human Rights Rules for Navalny's Release
On 16 February 2021, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Russia should immediately release Alexei Navalny, citing risks to his life. However, Russian officials rejected the ruling.
February 2021: Navalny's Suspended Sentence Replaced with Prison Sentence
On 2 February 2021, a Moscow court replaced Alexei Navalny's suspended sentence with a prison sentence. The verdict was widely condemned, and protests ensued, met with police crackdown.
February 2021: Navalny Arrives at Pokrov Correctional Colony
On 28 February 2021, Alexei Navalny was reported to have arrived at the Pokrov correctional colony in Vladimir Oblast, a prison where other political figures were also jailed.
April 2021: Reports Surface of Navalny Needing Immediate Medical Attention
On 17 April 2021, it was reported that Alexei Navalny was in immediate need of medical attention due to increased risk of cardiac arrest or kidney failure, with doctors requesting immediate access to him.
April 2021: Navalny Moved to Hospital for Convicts and Ends Hunger Strike
On 19 April 2021, Alexei Navalny was moved to a hospital for convicts. On 23 April 2021, Navalny announced he was ending his hunger strike, which he started in March 2021, on the advice of his doctors and because he felt his demands had been partially met.
May 2021: Amnesty International listed Navalny as a prisoner of conscience
In May 2021, Amnesty International listed Navalny as a prisoner of conscience, stating that his incarceration was primarily due to his political beliefs.
June 2021: Navalny's daughter accepted Moral Courage Award on his behalf
In June 2021, Navalny's daughter accepted the Moral Courage Award at the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy on behalf of her father, Navalny. He dedicated the prize to political prisoners.
February 2022: Comparison of Recognition of Separatist Republics to Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
In February 2022, Alexei Navalny compared Russia's recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics to the Soviet Union's 1979 invasion of Afghanistan, describing both events as distractions.
March 2022: Sentenced to 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 deemed a sham by Amnesty International.
April 2022: Condemnation of War Crimes and State Media
On 5 April 2022, Alexei Navalny condemned the "monstrosity of lies" in Russian state media regarding war crimes in Ukraine and called for sanctions and trials for "warmongers."
2022: Criticism of Russian Mobilization
In 2022, Alexei Navalny criticized the Russian mobilization, questioning why civilians were being drafted when the army and other services had millions of personnel.
2022: Statement on Preventing War
In the spring of 2022, Alexei Navalny stated that if preventing war requires filling jails, then that price should be paid.
August 2023: Sentenced to 19 Years on Extremism Charges
In August 2023, Alexei Navalny received another sentence of 19 years on extremism charges, further extending his imprisonment and solidifying concerns about politically motivated persecution.
December 2023: Disappearance and Re-emergence in Arctic Circle Colony
In December 2023, Alexei Navalny went missing from prison for almost three weeks before reappearing in an Arctic Circle corrective colony in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.
February 2024: Call for Protests During 2024 Russian Presidential Election
On 1 February 2024, Alexei Navalny and his allies urged supporters to protest Putin and the invasion of Ukraine during the 2024 Russian presidential election.
May 2024: DW News reports near exchange of Navalny for assassin
On May 24, 2024, DW News reported that in early 2024, Alexei Navalny and Evan Gershkovich were almost exchanged for Vadim Krasikov, the assassin of Zelimkhan Khangoshvili.
2024: Death Reported in Prison
In 2024, the Russian prison service reported the death of Alexei Navalny, sparking protests in Russia and internationally, and leading to accusations against Putin's government.
