Yulia Navalnaya has suggested Russians should write Alexei Navalny’s name on their voting ballots and urged them to protest at the upcoming elections.
Ms Navalnaya said she had drawn hope from the huge crowds that turned out last week for the funeral of the prominent opposition leader, who died in prison last month.
Her call for Russians to turn out to vote at the same time at noon on 17 March – a form of protest in tightly controlled Russia – echoes a call made by her late husband before his death.
His idea was that people could register a protest, without any risk of arrest, by all turning out en masse at the same time on election day in cities across the country.
In a video posted to YouTube, Ms Navalnaya said: “We need to use the election day to show that we exist and there are many of us.
“We are real, living people, and we are against Putin.”
Alexei Navalny with his wife Yulia before a court hearing in Moscow in 2014. Pic: AP
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Navalny’s funeral lifts spirits
Ms Navalnaya said people had a choice: cast a ballot for another candidate, spoil their ballot or write “Navalny” in big letters on it.
“And even if you don’t see the point in voting at all, you can just come and stand at the polling station, and then turn around and go home,” she added.
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‘You will answer for all of this’
The Kremlin has strongly denied accusations by Ms Navalnaya that Vladimir Putin had Mr Navalny killed, and has declined to comment on the public response to his death and funeral.
His death certificate said he died of natural causes at the age of 47.
President Putin is widely expected to triumph in the elections and secure another six year term in office, with no candidates left in the process who are critical of him.
This is a very important issue. I hope that the Russian government will listen to the demands of its people.
The Russian government is a dictatorship. It suppresses dissent and imprisons its opponents. I hope that the Russian people will one day rise up and overthrow this oppressive regime.
I am outraged by the Russian government’s treatment of Alexei Navalny. He is a political prisoner, and his imprisonment is a clear violation of human rights. I urge the Russian government to release him immediately and to respect the rights of all its citizens.
I am not sure what to think about this. I need more information before I can form an opinion.
This is a very sad situation. I hope that the Russian government will reconsider its treatment of Alexei Navalny.
This is a very interesting development. I will be following the situation closely.
I am not sure what to make of this. On the one hand, I understand Yulia Navalnaya’s desire to protest. On the other hand, I am worried about the safety of the protesters. The Russian government has a history of cracking down on dissent.
Yulia Navalnaya is a courageous woman. She is standing up for what she believes in, even though it is dangerous. I admire her strength and determination.
Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has urged Russians to protest on election day, September 19. She said in a video message that it was important to show the authorities that Russians “will not be silent” and that they demand the release of her husband and other political prisoners. “We must show that we are not afraid,” she said. “We must show that we will not tolerate this lawlessness anymore.”
I am not a fan of Alexei Navalny. I think he is a dangerous extremist. However, I do believe that he should be released from prison. Everyone deserves a fair trial.