This is a letter written from prison by Ilya Yashin, a Russian opposition leader currently serving an eight-and-a-half-year sentence for publishing details of war crimes by the country’s armed forces in Ukraine.
He published this statement in Russian via Facebook. It has been translated to English by CEPA.
“News comes slowly to the camp barrack [prison], and I only learned about the death of Alexey Navalny yesterday. It’s hard to convey my shock. It’s hard to gather my thoughts. The pain and horror are unbearable.
And yet I will not remain silent; I will say what I consider important.
For me, there is no question what happened to Navalny. I have no doubt that he was killed. For three years, Alexey was under the control of the security forces, who, as early as 2020, had organized an unsuccessful attempt on his life. Now, they have brought the matter to an end.
For me, there is no question which individual killed him. I have no doubt that it was Putin. He’s a war criminal. Navalny was his key opponent in Russia and was hated by the Kremlin. Putin had both motive and opportunity. I am convinced that he ordered the killing.
I understand how state propaganda will begin to manipulate public opinion. They will likely claim that Navalny’s death is not advantageous for the president [as they have, see here], that killing him a month before the elections is illogical, and that Putin, being focused on global politics, wouldn’t bother with a mere prisoner . . . This is complete nonsense; dismiss it outright.
After Alexey’s 2020 poisoning, propagandists defended Putin with the argument, “If he had wanted to kill, he would have killed.” And that’s true. Putin wanted to, and he did. Not only did he kill, but he did so demonstratively. Especially on the eve of the elections, to leave no doubt about his involvement. He also demonstratively killed [Yevgeny] Prigozhin — again taking the trouble to ensure no one would doubt the author of his killing.
In Putin’s understanding, this is how power is asserted: through murder, cruelty, and demonstrative revenge. This is not the thinking of a statesman; it is the mindset of a gang leader. So, let’s honestly admit: Putin is the leader of the mafia structure that has infiltrated our state. He doesn’t possess any moral or legal constraints. He keeps people in fear, and he imprisons and destroys those who are not afraid.
That’s why Boris Nemtsov was shot. That’s why Alexey Navalny was killed. For three years in the colony, he was tortured in solitary confinement and broken in an attempt to make him plead for mercy. It didn’t work out, and then he was deprived of his life.
The confrontation between Navalny and Putin showcased the contrast in their personalities. Alexey will go down in history as a man of exceptional courage who clung to what he believed in. He walked forward, defying fear and death, with a smile on his face and his head held high. And he died a hero.
Putin will remain a small man who accidentally gained enormous power. A character who hides in a bunker kills on the sly and holds millions of people hostage to his complexes. And yet, I don’t wish him to die. I dream that he will answer for his crimes not only before God’s tribunal, but also before an earthly court.
Alexey Navalny was my friend. So was Boris Nemtsov. We pursued a common cause and dedicated our lives to making Russia peaceful, free, and happy.
I feel a black emptiness inside. And, of course, I understand the risks to my own safety. I’m behind bars, my life is in Putin’s hands, and it’s in danger. But I will continue to speak my truth.
Standing over Boris’s body in February 2015, I vowed to myself not to be afraid, not to give up, and not to run. Nine years later, mourning Alexey, I can only repeat this oath.
As long as my heart beats in my chest, I will fight tyranny. As long as I live, I will not fear evil. As long as I breathe, I will be with my people.
I swear.
Alexey, sleep well, brother.
Yulia, Lyudmila Ivanovna, Anatoly Ivanovich, Oleg, Dasha, Zakhar, hold on.
I’m with you.”
Ilya Yashin is a Russian opposition leader and political prisoner.
Europe’s Edge is CEPA’s online journal covering critical topics on the foreign policy docket across Europe and North America. All opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the position or views of the institutions they represent or the Center for European Policy Analysis.
