Russia’s Basmanyy District Court has issued an arrest warrant for Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The court accuses her of participating in an “extremist” group, as reported by JURIST. Currently residing outside Russia, Navalnaya would face immediate arrest if she decides to return to the country.
Navalnaya faces charges under part 2 of Article 282.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to six years for participation in an extremist community. The court approved a petition from Russia’s Investigative Committee to detain Navalnaya pretrial for a period of two months.
In reaction to the ruling, Navalnaya condemned President Vladimir Putin, describing him as “a killer and a war criminal.” She further asserted that Putin should be imprisoned in Russia, particularly in the same penal colony where her husband died, rather than in a more accommodating cell in The Hague. Her statement can be found on her social media.
Leonid Volkov, formerly Alexei Navalny’s chief of staff, acknowledged the significance of this move by the “infamous Basmanny court” and underlined Navalnaya’s determination to continue her husband’s fight against corruption and authoritarianism. His comments were also posted on social media.
The warrant has drawn international condemnation; German Chancellor Olaf Scholz referred to it as an attack on freedom and democracy. “After the death of her husband Alexei Navalny, she carries on his legacy—and with her, many Russians,” Scholz commented in a statement.
Navalnaya has remained active in advocating for democracy since her husband’s death in an Arctic prison in February, meeting with global leaders to further his mission. The full details of Alexei Navalny’s passing were reported by JURIST earlier this year.