Yulia, The Wife Of Russian Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny, Has Vowed To Continue His Fight For A Free Russia
“By killing Alexei, Putin killed half of me, half of my heart and half of my soul. But I still have the other half. And it tells me that I have no right to give up.”
Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of Russia’s main opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has shared a video on social media, vowing to continue the work of her husband after his reported death.
Russian state media announced on Friday, Feb. 16, that 47-year-old Navalny – who was Russian president Vladimir Putin’s biggest critic – had died after he collapsed and lost consciousness following a morning walk in prison.
Navalnaya had addressed world leaders at a security conference in Munich, Germany, just hours after news of his death broke, saying she chose to because she knew her husband would do the same if he was in her place.
On Monday, Feb. 19, she shared a new video on Navalny’s social media accounts, saying she will continue her husband’s fight for a free Russia.
“Three days ago, Vladimir Putin killed my husband, Alexei Navalny,” she said.
“Putin killed the father of my children, Putin took away the most precious thing I had, the closest and most beloved person.
But Putin has also taken Navalny away from you.” “All these years, I was happy to stand by Alexei’s side and support him.
But today I want to be by your side. Because I know that you have lost as much as I have,” Navalnaya said.
“My husband was unbreakable. And that’s exactly why Putin killed him,” she said, adding that even if Russian authorities continue to hide Navalny’s body, she will find out who committed the crime.
“By killing Alexei, Putin killed half of me, half of my heart and half of my soul,” she said.
“But I still have the other half. And it tells me that I have no right to give up,” Navalnaya said, pledging to fight for the “the free, peaceful, happy, beautiful Russia of the future” that he dreamed about.
She concluded her video by echoing Navalny message to the Russian people in the case he is killed.
“It is not shameful to do little; it is shameful to do nothing. It is shameful to be intimidated,” she said.
“I want to build [this Russia] together with you. Exactly as Alexei Navalny envisioned it. Full of dignity, justice and love.” “Keep fighting and do not give up,” Navalnaya said. “I am not afraid and I urge you not to be afraid of anything as well.”
