History of Alexei Navalny in Timeline
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: Worked as Corporate Lawyer
From 1998 onward, Alexei Navalny worked as a corporate lawyer for various Russian companies, gaining experience in the legal and business sectors.
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.
2000: Joined the Yabloko Party
In 2000, Alexei Navalny joined the Russian United Democratic Party Yabloko, motivated by a new law that raised the electoral threshold for State Duma elections.
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.
2001: Listed as Member of Yabloko Party
In 2001, Alexei Navalny was officially listed as a member of the Yabloko party, solidifying his involvement in the political organization.
2002: Elected to Regional Council of Moscow Yabloko
In 2002, Alexei Navalny was elected to the regional council of the Moscow branch of Yabloko, marking a step in his political career within the party.
2003: Headed Moscow Subdivision of Yabloko's Election Campaign
In 2003, Alexei Navalny headed the Moscow subdivision of Yabloko's election campaign for the parliamentary election held in December, indicating his growing role within the party.
April 2004: Chief of Staff of Moscow Yabloko Branch
In April 2004, Alexei Navalny became the Chief of Staff of the Moscow branch of Yabloko, a position he held until February 2007.
August 2005: Admitted to Social Council of Central Administrative Okrug of Moscow
In August 2005, Alexei Navalny was admitted to the Social Council of the Central Administrative Okrug of Moscow, prior to the Moscow City Duma election that year.
2006: Member of the Federal Council of Yabloko Party
From 2006 to 2007, Alexei Navalny was a member of the Federal Council of the Yabloko party, giving him a role in the party's central decision-making body.
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.
February 2007: End of Term as Chief of Staff of Moscow Yabloko Branch
In February 2007, Alexei Navalny's tenure as Chief of Staff of the Moscow branch of Yabloko concluded.
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: Alleged Fraud by Allekt
In 2007 Allekt, an advertising company headed by Navalny, allegedly defrauded the Union of Right Forces (SPS) political party.
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: Alleged Embezzlement by Navalny and His Brother
In 2008 Alexei Navalny and his brother Oleg allegedly embezzled 55 million rubles while working in a postal business.
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.
2008: Navalny Becomes Activist Shareholder in Oil and Gas Companies
In 2008, Alexei Navalny invested 300,000 rubles to become an activist shareholder in five major Russian oil and gas companies, including Rosneft and Gazprom, seeking to increase the transparency of their financial assets.
2008: Oleg Navalny Offers Services to Yves Rocher Vostok
In 2008, Oleg Navalny offered Yves Rocher Vostok to accredit Glavpodpiska with delivering duties, and a contract was signed on August 5.
2009: Alleged Embezzlement from Kirovles
In 2009, Alexei Navalny allegedly conspired to steal timber from Kirovles, a state-owned company, while acting as an advisor to Kirov's governor Nikita Belykh. This allegation led to the Kirovles case.
2009: Became an Advocate in Kirov Oblast
In 2009, Alexei Navalny became an advocate and a member of advocate's chamber (bar association) of Kirov Oblast (registration number 43/547), marking a step in his legal career.
2009: "Person of the Year" Award
In 2009, Alexei Navalny was named "Person of the Year" by Russian business newspaper Vedomosti and by stock exchange observer Stock in Focus.
April 2010: Finance Magazine Prize
On 22 April 2010, Alexei Navalny received the Finance magazine prize for protecting the rights of minority shareholders.
November 2010: Navalny Publishes Confidential Transneft Documents
In November 2010, Alexei Navalny published confidential documents related to Transneft's auditing, alleging that approximately US$4 billion was stolen by the company's leaders during the construction of the Eastern Siberia–Pacific Ocean oil pipeline.
2010: Initial Report on the Estate
In 2010 after the businessman Sergei Kolesnikov, who was involved in the project, gave details about it the estate was first reported on.
2010: Became an Advocate in Moscow
In 2010, Alexei Navalny ceased to be a member of the advocate's chamber of Kirov Oblast due to his move to Moscow, where he then became a member of advocate's chamber of Moscow (registration number 77/9991).
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.
February 2011: Hungarian Officials Detained in Real Estate Scandal
In February 2011, three Hungarian officials were detained due to their involvement in a scandalous real estate deal where Hungary sold a former embassy building in Moscow for US$21 million to an offshore company, which then resold it to the Russian government for US$116 million.
May 2011: Navalny Launches RosYama Project
In May 2011, Navalny launched RosYama, a project enabling individuals to report potholes and monitor government responses to these complaints.
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: Alleged Embezzlement by Navalny and His Brother
In 2011 Alexei Navalny and his brother Oleg allegedly embezzled 55 million rubles while working in a postal business.
2011: Leaks of Palace Interior
In 2011 photographs from inside the palace, were leaked onto the Internet.
2011: Navalny Identifies as a Nationalist Democrat
In 2011, Alexei Navalny declared himself a "nationalist democrat" and co-organized the "Russian march".
2011: Foundation of Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK)
In 2011, Alexei Navalny founded the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), an organization dedicated to investigating and exposing corruption among Russian government officials.
2011: FP Top 100 Global Thinkers
In 2011, Foreign Policy magazine named Alexei Navalny to the FP Top 100 Global Thinkers for his role in "shaping the new world of government transparency".
2011: Parliamentary elections
In 2011, during the parliamentary elections the parties received the second, third, fourth, and fifth highest results.
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.
February 2012: Navalny Alleges Misspending of Federal Funds in Chechnya
In February 2012, Alexei Navalny concluded that Russian federal money allocated to Ramzan Kadyrov's Chechen Interior Ministry was being spent "in a totally shadowy and fraudulent way."
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.
July 2012: Navalny Charged with Embezzlement in Kirovles Case
On July 30, 2012, the Investigative Committee charged Alexei Navalny with embezzlement, alleging he conspired to steal timber from Kirovles, a state-owned company, in 2009 while advising Kirov's governor.
December 2012: Investigative Committee Interrogates Yves Rocher Vostok
In November and December 2012, the Investigative Committee interrogated and questioned Yves Rocher Vostok.
December 2012: Investigative Committee Asserts Fraud by Allekt Against Union of Right Forces
In late December 2012, the Investigative Committee of Russia asserted that Allekt, an advertising company headed by Navalny, defrauded the Union of Right Forces (SPS) political party in 2007.
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.
2012: Recognition by Foreign Policy and Time Magazine
In 2012, Alexei Navalny was again named in FP Top 100 Global Thinkers and also listed by Time magazine as one of the world's 100 most influential people.
2012: Embezzlement and fraud charges declared
In 2012, Navalny was charged with embezzlement and fraud charges.
2012: Navalny included in Time's list of 100 most influential people
In 2012, Navalny was included in Time's list of the 100 most influential people.
April 2013: Loeb & Loeb Issues Analysis Criticizing Navalny Prosecutions
In April 2013, Loeb & Loeb LLP issued a paper titled "An Analysis of the Russian Federation's prosecutions of Alexei Navalny," concluding that the Kremlin misused the legal system to harass and silence political opponents.
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.
April 2013: Kirovles Trial Commences
The Kirovles trial against Alexei Navalny commenced in the city of Kirov on April 17, 2013.
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.
May 2013: Moscow mayor argues for elected mayor
On May 30, 2013, the mayor of Moscow, Sergey Sobyanin, argued that an elected mayor is an advantage for the city compared to an appointed one.
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.
October 2013: Navalny's Prison Sentence Suspended
On October 16, 2013, a court in Kirov suspended Alexei Navalny's prison sentence, but it remained a burden for his political future.
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.
November 2013: Elected as Leader of The People's Alliance Party
On November 17, 2013, Alexei Navalny was elected as the leader of The People's Alliance party, solidifying his role in the organization.
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: Prospect Magazine Ranking
In 2013, Alexei Navalny was ranked No. 48 among "world thinkers" in an online poll by Prospect magazine.
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.
2013: Initial Kirovles case sentence
In 2013, the Leninsky district court of Kirov initially sentenced Navalny in the Kirovles case which was later sent to a new trial.
2013: Repeated 2013 Sentence
On February 8, 2017, the Leninsky district court of Kirov repeated its sentence of 2013.
January 2014: Party files for registration, registration suspended
In January 2014, Navalny's party filed registration documents for the second time, but on January 2014, the registration was suspended due to Russian laws prohibiting two parties from sharing a name.
February 2014: Party renamed and registered
In February 2014, Navalny's party changed its name to "Progress Party" on February 8th, and on February 25th, 2014, the party was registered, requiring it to register regional branches within six months.
February 2014: Navalny Placed Under House Arrest
On February 28, 2014, Alexei Navalny was placed under house arrest for allegedly violating travel restrictions and was prohibited from communicating with anyone other than his family, lawyers, and investigators.
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.
September 2014: Party declares regional branch registration
On September 26, 2014, Navalny's party declared it had registered 43 regional branches. However, an unnamed source said registrations completed after the six-month term would not be taken into consideration.
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.
November 2014: Offer of co-chairmanship
In November 2014, Navalny was offered a position as the fourth co-chairman of RPR-PARNAS.
December 2014: Navalny Brothers Found Guilty in Yves Rocher Case
On December 30, 2014, Alexei and Oleg Navalny were found guilty of fraud and money laundering in the Yves Rocher case. Alexei received a suspended sentence, while Oleg was sentenced to prison. Alexei was briefly apprehended after breaking house arrest to attend a rally.
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.
2014: Timur Kuashev's Death Linked to Tracking Unit
In January 2021, investigations linked the unit that tracked Alexei Navalny to the 2014 death of activist Timur Kuashev.
2014: Yves Rocher Case Suspended Sentence
In January 2021, prior to Alexei Navalny's return to Russia, the FSIN stated that he might face jail time for violating the terms of his probation from a suspended sentence he received in 2014 in the Yves Rocher case.
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%.
February 2015: Party convention held, preparations for 2016 elections announced
In February 2015, Navalny stated at the party convention that the party was preparing for the 2016 elections and would maintain its activity across Russia, including Crimea.
February 2015: Nemtsov assassination, coalition project
On February 27, 2015, Boris Nemtsov was assassinated. Prior to his assassination, Nemtsov worked on a project of a coalition, in which Navalny and Khodorkovsky would become co-chairmen of RPR-PARNAS.
April 2015: Party initiates a coalition of democratic parties, deprived of registration
On April 17, 2015, Navalny's party initiated a coalition of democratic parties. On April 28, 2015, the party was deprived of registration by the Ministry of Justice, which stated the party had not registered the required number of regional branches within six months after the official registration.
July 2015: Kasyanov elected leader of PARNAS
In July 2015, Kasyanov was elected as the only leader of RPR-PARNAS, and the party was renamed to just PARNAS. He expressed interest in re-establishing co-chairmanship later, possibly including Navalny.
October 2015: Navalny Pays Partial Compensation in Yves Rocher Case
In October 2015, Alexei Navalny paid part of the compensation (2.9 million rubles) he was ordered to pay, and requested an installment plan for the rest. The request was granted, with a shorter term than requested.
2015: Prize of the Platform of European Memory and Conscience
In 2015, Alexei and Oleg Navalny were awarded the "Prize of the Platform of European Memory and Conscience" for their courage and struggle for democratic values in Russia.
2015: Ruslan Magomedragimov's Death Linked to Tracking Unit
In January 2021, investigations linked the unit that tracked Alexei Navalny to the 2015 death of activist Ruslan Magomedragimov.
February 2016: European Court of Human Rights Rules Russia Violated Navalny's Right to Fair Trial
On February 23, 2016, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Russia had violated Alexei Navalny's right to a fair trial and ordered the government to pay him 56,000 euros in legal costs and damages.
September 2016: Scheduled State Duma elections
The State Duma elections were scheduled for September 2016. The candidates RPR-PARNAS would appoint were to be chosen via primary elections.
November 2016: Russia's Supreme Court Overturns 2013 Sentence
On November 16, 2016, Russia's Supreme Court overturned Alexei Navalny's 2013 sentence in the Kirovles case and sent the verdict back to the Leninsky District Court in Kirov for review.
December 2016: Navalny announces presidential bid
On December 13, 2016, Navalny announced his entry into the presidential race.
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: Planned election participation
Navalny planned for the party to participate in the 2016 elections, but candidates may be removed from the elections.
2016: Deemphasis of Immigration Statements
Since 2016, Alexei Navalny has deemphasized his past statements on immigration.
February 2017: Re-sentencing in Kirovles case
On February 8, 2017, the Leninsky district court of Kirov re-sentenced Navalny with a five-year suspended sentence in the Kirovles case, which could prohibit his official registration as a candidate.
February 2017: Leninsky District Court of Kirov Repeats 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: Navalny Accuses Dmitry Medvedev of Corruption and Organizes Anti-Corruption Rallies
In March 2017, Navalny published an investigation accusing Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev of corruption and organized anti-corruption rallies across Russia on March 26. He was later fined and jailed for organizing an illegal protest and resisting arrest on March 27.
April 2017: Zelyonka attack outside office
On April 27, 2017, Navalny was attacked by unknown assailants outside his office with brilliant green dye, resulting in a chemical burn to his right eye and reportedly losing 80 percent of his sight. He accused the Kremlin of orchestrating the attack.
June 2017: Time's List of Most Influential People on the Internet
In June 2017, Alexei Navalny was included in Time's list of the World's 25 Most Influential People on the Internet.
July 2017: Release from jail after imprisonment
Navalny was released from jail on July 27, 2017, after spending 25 days of imprisonment. Before that, he was arrested in Moscow for participating in protests and was sentenced to 30 days in jail for organizing illegal protests.
September 2017: Accusations of police interference
In September 2017, Human Rights Watch accused Russian police of systematic interference with Navalny's presidential campaign. Also, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe invited Russian authorities to erase the prohibition on Mr. Navalny's standing for election.
October 2017: Sentenced to jail for protest calls
In October 2017, Navalny was sentenced to 20 days in jail for calls to participate in protests without approval from state authorities.
October 2017: ECHR Rules Navalny's Conviction Was Arbitrary
On October 17, 2017, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Navalny's conviction for fraud and money laundering "was based on an unforeseeable application of criminal law and that the proceedings were arbitrary and unfair."
December 2017: "Politician of the Year 2017" by Vedomosti
In December 2017, Alexei Navalny was named "Politician of the Year 2017" by Vedomosti.
December 2017: Barred from running for president
In December 2017, Russia's Central Electoral Commission barred Navalny from running for president in 2018, citing Navalny's corruption conviction. Navalny called for a boycott of the 2018 presidential election.
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.
2017: ECHR Ruling on Yves Rocher Case
In January 2021, prior to Alexei Navalny's return to Russia, the FSIN stated that he might face jail time for violating the terms of his probation. In 2017, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Navalny was unfairly convicted in the Yves Rocher case.
January 2018: Navalny Imprisoned for Staging Protests
In January 2018, Alexei Navalny was imprisoned for staging protests.
January 2018: Protests and Arrest
On January 28, 2018, Navalny led protests to urge a boycott of Russia's 2018 presidential election. Navalny was arrested on the day of the protest and then released the same day, pending trial.
February 2018: Accusation of assaulting an officer
On February 5, 2018, the government accused Navalny of assaulting an officer during the January protests.
August 2018: Navalny Accuses Viktor Zolotov of Stealing from National Guard Contracts
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: Arrest and conviction for organizing illegal demonstrations
Immediately after his release on September 25, 2018, Navalny was arrested and convicted for organizing illegal demonstrations and sentenced to another 20 days in jail.
November 2018: Grand Chamber Upholds ECHR Decision
On November 15, 2018, the Grand Chamber upheld the decision of the European Court of Human Rights that Navalny's conviction for fraud and money laundering "was based on an unforeseeable application of criminal law and that the proceedings were arbitrary and unfair."
2018: Most viable contender
According to Freedom House and The Economist, Navalny was the most viable contender to Vladimir Putin in the 2018 election.
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: Presidential election boycott
In 2018, Navalny was barred from running for president. He called for a boycott of the 2018 presidential election.
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."
April 2019: Moskovsky Shkolnik Files Lawsuit Against Navalny
In April 2019, Moskovsky Shkolnik, a company allegedly linked to Yevgeny Prigozhin, filed a lawsuit against Alexei Navalny after he claimed they supplied poor-quality food to schools causing a dysentery outbreak.
July 2019: Arrest, Hospitalization, and Smart Voting Project
In July 2019, Navalny was arrested for ten days, then for 30 days. On the evening of July 28, he was hospitalized with severe damage to his eyes and skin, diagnosed with an "allergy", although this diagnosis was disputed. On July 29, 2019, Navalny was discharged from hospital and taken back to prison. In response, he initiated the Smart Voting project.
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.
September 2019: Daughter Darya Navalnaya began studies at Stanford University
In September 2019, Navalny's daughter, Darya Navalnaya, began her undergraduate studies at Stanford University.
October 2019: Court Orders Navalny to Pay Millions in Lawsuit
In October 2019, the Moscow Arbitration Court ordered Alexei Navalny to pay 29.2 million rubles after Moskovsky Shkolnik filed a lawsuit against him. Navalny maintained that the dysentery cases were proven with documents, showing the situation in October 2019.
2019: "Politician of the Year 2019" by Vedomosti Readers
In 2019, Alexei Navalny was named "Politician of the Year 2019" by readers of Vedomosti.
2019: Nikita Isayev's Death Linked to Tracking Unit
In January 2021, investigations linked the unit that tracked Alexei Navalny to the 2019 death of politician Nikita Isayev.
April 2020: Yandex Artificially Ranks Negative Commentary About Navalny
In April 2020, Yandex search engine started artificially placing negative commentary about Navalny on the top positions in its search results for his name.
June 2020: Support for Black Lives Matter Protests
In June 2020, Alexei Navalny voiced his support for the Black Lives Matter protests against racism.
June 2020: Slander Charges Against Navalny Launched
In June 2020, a case was launched against Alexei Navalny on slander charges for defaming a World War II veteran who participated in a promotional video. The charges came to trial in February 2021.
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.
August 2020: Prigozhin to Enforce Court Decision
On 25 August 2020, Yevgeny Prigozhin stated his intent to enforce a court decision requiring Alexei Navalny, Lyubov Sobol, and the Anti-Corruption Foundation to pay 88 million rubles in damages to Moskovsky Shkolnik over a video investigation.
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: Russia Passes Laws Prioritizing Constitution over International Rulings
In December 2020, Russia passed laws giving its constitution precedence over rulings by international bodies, setting the stage for their rejection of the ECHR ruling in February 2021 regarding Alexei Navalny.
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: Investigation Links Navalny's Tracking Unit to Other Deaths
In January 2021, Bellingcat, The Insider, and Der Spiegel connected the unit that tracked Alexei Navalny to the deaths of activists Timur Kuashev (2014), Ruslan Magomedragimov (2015), and politician Nikita Isayev (2019).
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.
January 2021: Navalny Investigation Accuses Putin of Building Lavish Estate
On January 19, 2021, two days after being detained, 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.
February 2021: Boris Nemtsov Prize for Courage
Following his imprisonment in February 2021, Alexei Navalny was awarded the Boris Nemtsov Prize for Courage.
February 2021: Amnesty International Briefly Revokes Navalny's Prisoner of Conscience Status
In February 2021, Amnesty International briefly revoked Alexei Navalny's designation as a prisoner of conscience due to complaints about past xenophobic comments, but reversed the decision in May, clarifying that the designation does not endorse his views.
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.
March 2021: Navalny Accuses Authorities of Torture
In March 2021, Alexei Navalny formally accused authorities of torture by sleep deprivation and complained about health problems and denied access to a civilian physician.
March 2021: EU and US Impose Sanctions on Russian Officials
In early March 2021, the European Union and the United States imposed sanctions on senior Russian officials in response to the poisoning and imprisonment of Alexei Navalny.
April 2021: Moscow Prosecutor Requests Designation of Navalny's Organizations as Extremist
On 16 April 2021, the Moscow prosecutor's office requested the Moscow City Court to designate organizations linked to Alexei Navalny as extremist, claiming they were creating conditions for destabilization.
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.
April 2021: Moscow Prosecutor Orders Navalny's Network to Cease Activities
On 26 April 2021, Moscow's prosecutor office ordered Alexei Navalny's network of regional offices to cease its activities, pending a court ruling on whether to designate them as extremist organizations.
April 2021: Navalny's Team Announces Dissolution of Political Network
On 29 April 2021, Alexei Navalny's team announced that the political network would be dissolved, in advance of a court ruling expected to designate it as extremist. Also, a new criminal case was opened against Navalny.
April 2021: Doctors Arrested While Trying to Visit Navalny
On 6 April 2021, six doctors, including Alexei Navalny's personal physician, were arrested outside the prison when they attempted to visit him as his health deteriorated significantly due to his hunger strike started in March 2021.
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 Newspapers Censored in Prison
As of June 2021, Alexei Navalny's newspapers were being censored in prison, with articles being cut out.
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.
June 2021: Navalny's Political Network Designated as Extremist and Liquidated
On 9 June 2021, Alexei Navalny's political network, including his headquarters and the FBK, were designated as extremist organizations and liquidated by the Moscow City Court.
August 2021: Court upholds decision classifying Navalny case file as state secret
In August 2021, the First Court of Appeal of General Jurisdiction in Moscow upheld the decision to classify Alexei Navalny's case file as a state secret. The prosecutor stated that Navalny and other defendants were considered extremist because they wanted to change power in Russia and support protesters.
September 2021: Navalny awarded the Knight of Freedom Award
In September 2021, Navalny was awarded the Knight of Freedom Award conferred by the Casimir Pulaski Foundation.
September 2021: Navalny included in Time's list of 100 most influential people
In September 2021, Navalny was included in Time's list of the 100 most influential people. This marked his second appearance on the list, as he was previously included in 2012.
October 2021: Navalny designated as "terrorist" and "extremist" by Russian prison commission
In October 2021, Alexei Navalny reported that the Russian prison commission had designated him as a "terrorist" and "extremist," although he was no longer considered a flight risk.
October 2021: Navalny received the Sakharov Prize
In October 2021, Navalny received the Sakharov Prize, the European Parliament's annual human rights prize, recognizing his fight against the corruption of Vladimir Putin's regime.
December 2021: Navalny files cassational appeal
In December 2021, Alexei Navalny, along with the Anti-Corruption Foundation, the Citizens' Rights Protection Foundation, and 18 individuals, filed a cassational appeal with the Second Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction.
2021: Nomination for Nobel Peace Prize
In 2021, Alexei Navalny was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by multiple Norwegian members of parliament.
January 2022: Russia adds Navalny to "terrorists and extremists" list
In January 2022, Russia added Alexei Navalny and his aides to the official list of "terrorists and extremists."
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.
February 2022: Navalny faces new trial on fraud and contempt charges
In February 2022, Alexei Navalny faced a new trial, potentially adding 10 to 15 years to his prison sentence, on charges of fraud and contempt of court. The charges included allegations of stealing $4.7 million in donations and insulting a judge.
February 2022: Witness refuses to testify; Navalny condemns invasion of Ukraine during trial
In February 2022, a prosecution witness refused to testify against Alexei Navalny, stating he was pressured. During his trial on February 24, Navalny condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and asked for his statement to be included in the trial's protocol.
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.
March 2022: Court rejects Navalny's appeal
In March 2022, the Second Court of Cassation rejected all appeals filed by Alexei Navalny and others, upholding the judgements of the lower courts.
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."
May 2022: Navalny appeals sentence, court upholds judgement
In May 2022, Alexei Navalny opened an appeal process against his sentence; the Moscow City Court upheld the judgement of the court of first instance on May 24.
May 2022: Navalny notified of new extremism charges
On May 31, 2022, Alexei Navalny reported that he was officially notified about new charges of extremism brought against him, potentially adding up to 15 years to his prison sentence.
June 2022: Navalny transferred to maximum security prison
In mid-June 2022, Alexei Navalny was transferred to the maximum security prison IK-6 in Melekhovo, Vladimir Oblast.
June 2022: Navalny loses appeal on "extremist" designation
On June 28, 2022, Alexei Navalny lost his appeal against being designated as an "extremist" and "terrorist."
July 2022: Navalny announces relaunch of Anti-Corruption Foundation
On July 11, 2022, Alexei Navalny announced the relaunch of his Anti-Corruption Foundation as an international organisation.
September 2022: Navalny placed in solitary confinement and attorney-client privilege revoked
In September 2022, Alexei Navalny reported being placed in solitary confinement for the fourth time in a month and his attorney-client privilege was revoked.
October 2022: Navalny's allies relaunch regional political network
On October 4, 2022, allies of Alexei Navalny announced they were relaunching his regional political network to fight the mobilization and war.
November 2022: Navalny reports being in permanent solitary confinement
On November 17, 2022, Alexei Navalny stated that he was now in permanent solitary confinement due to various infractions.
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: Navalny awarded U.S. Prize For Civil Courage
In 2022, Navalny was awarded the U.S. Prize For Civil Courage.
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.
January 2023: Doctors demand end to Navalny's abuse; Navalny transferred to isolated punishment cell
In January 2023, over 400 Russian doctors signed an open letter to President Putin demanding an end to the abuse of Alexei Navalny, who fell ill in solitary confinement. Later that month, Navalny was transferred to an isolated punishment cell.
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.
August 2023: Navalny sentenced to additional 19 years in prison
On August 4, 2023, Alexei Navalny was sentenced to an additional 19 years in a "special regime" colony on various charges after being found guilty by the Moscow City Court in a closed-doors trial.
October 2023: Navalny's lawyers arrested for communicating with him.
On October 13, 2023, three of Alexei Navalny's lawyers were arrested for communicating his messages from prison, and face up to 6 years in prison.
October 2023: Navalny's lawyers detained on extremism charges
On October 13, 2023, three of Alexei Navalny's lawyers were detained and charged with participating in an "extremist group" for allegedly passing his messages from the penal colony.
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.
December 2023: Navalny disappears from penal colony; whereabouts unknown
On December 11, 2023, Alexei Navalny's aides reported that they had lost contact with him for six days, after he was removed from his penal colony and his location was unknown. On December 25, 2023 he was discovered to be in the IK-3 "special regime" colony.
2023: "Navalny" documentary won Best Documentary awards
In 2023, the documentary film about him, "Navalny", directed by Daniel Roher, won Best Documentary at the 76th British Academy Film Awards and Best Documentary Feature at the 95th Academy Awards.
February 2024: Death of Alexei Navalny
Alexei Navalny died on February 16, 2024. He was a Russian opposition leader, anti-corruption activist, and political prisoner at the time of his death.
February 2024: Alexei Navalny dies in prison
Alexei Navalny remained in the IK-3 "special regime" colony until his death on February 16, 2024.
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.
October 2024: Posthumous publication of Navalny's memoir "Patriot"
On October 22, 2024, Navalny's memoir "Patriot", which he began writing in Germany after being poisoned, was published posthumously. His wife Yulia Navalnaya launched it.
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.
2036: Potential end of Putin's extended presidential term
In 2020, constitutional reforms allowed Putin to potentially stay in office until 2036. As this date marks the end of that possible term, it is significant.
December 2038: Projected Release Date
According to his lawyers, following his latest sentencing in August 2023, Alexei Navalny would have been released in December 2038.
