The widow of the late Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny, Yulia Navalnaya, reaffirmed her resolve to continue fighting against Russian repression at an awards ceremony in Bavaria.
“I will continue to fight for media freedom, as Alexei did,” Navalnaya promised at the Ludwig Erhard summit on Lake Tegernsee on Friday.
There she accepted the ‘Media Freedom Prize’, which was awarded to her and posthumously to her late husband.
In her acceptance speech, Navalnaya highlighted the achievements of her husband, who died in Russian captivity two months ago: “My husband was incredibly good at turning all media into free media,” the 48-year-old emphasized.
Wants a European path for Russia
Only Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin stands in the way of a normal European and Russian future with peace and prosperity, she said. But it won’t stay that way forever. “We will convince more and more people to choose the European path in Russia,” Navalnaya announced. Right now, many people in Russia are being silenced. But even small changes can make their voice louder. Russia will then be a different country and everyone will be surprised at how quickly it has changed.
In his praising speech, CDU leader Friedrich Merz was moved by Navalnaya’s confidence. “This lack of fear still impresses us to this day,” Merz said. Together with her husband, she built one of the most important human rights and opposition movements in Russia. “Today Yulia Navalnaya is the face of a different Russia, the face of hope for a better future.” She reminds us that Russia is not only made up of Putin and his “willing accomplices,” but also of courageous and cosmopolitan people.
“Putin is not Russia”
“Putin is not Russia and Russia is not just Putin,” Merz emphasized. “You are showing oppressed oppositions around the world that the effort is worth it.” Merz promised Navalnaya to support them in their struggle: “We, the free world, are at your side. We are mutual allies in the growing systemic conflict between liberal democracies and anti-liberal autocracies.” Freedom and democracy can only be preserved if everyone is prepared to defend them.
Alexei Navalny died on February 16 in the prison camp unofficially named “Arctic Wolf” in the Siberian Arctic region of Yamal, according to authorities. The circumstances of his death are not clear. According to Navalny’s team, the death certificate mentions “natural” causes. Navalny’s relatives speak of murder.
Zelensky also received this award
The “Media Freedom Prize” is awarded every year at the Ludwig Erhard Summit, which lasts several days, to public figures who are particularly committed to freedom of expression, dialogue and democracy. Garry Kasparov was honored in 2023, and in previous years Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev were honored.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
