The widow of Alexei Navalny has paid tribute to the Russian opposition leader on the one -year anniversary of his unexpected death.
Hundreds of people risked arrest and freezing weather in Moscow on Sunday while they stood in line to visit Navalny's grave and lay flowers, too light candles and honor his memory.
Dissident Navalny died mysteriously at the age of 47 on 16 February last year in a 'special regime' penal colony known as 'Polar Wolf' above the polar circle.
His widow Yulia Navalnaya wrote online: “I always thought that the expression” a year has passed and there was not a day I didn't remember “was total nonsense. And it turned out that this is not nonsense.
'A year. The whole year and there was not a single day that I didn't think about Alexei. I didn't laugh with him, don't consult him, didn't argue with him. '
The politician, who campaigned against official corruption and led to large anti-Kremlin protests, served a prison sentence of 19 years on accusation of extremism.
Russia never fully explained his death and only stated that Navalny had felt unwell after a walk and lost consciousness.
An ambulance arrived to try not to save him, the federal prison service said in a statement at that time.
Hundreds of people risked arrest and freezing weather in Moscow on Sunday while they stood in line to visit Navalny's grave and lay flowers, too light candles and honor his memory
Dissident Navalny died mysterious at the age of 47 on February 16 last year in a 'special regime' punishment colony known as 'Polar Wolf' above the polar circle
His widow Yulia Navalnaya (photo) has paid tribute to the Russian opposition leader on the one -year anniversary of his unexpected death
Speaking at Munich's security conference, just a few hours after the news about her husband's death broke a year ago, Navalnaya expressed her skepticism about the information from Russian government sources.
'We cannot trust Putin and Putin government. They always lie, “she said, solemn and tearing.
'But if this is true, I want Putin, his entire entourage, the friends of Putin, his government know that they will bear responsibility for what they have done to my husband our country, to my husband. And this day will come very quickly. '
Supporters helped in selecting a new design for a monument for Navalny on the Borisovskoye Cemetery.
The winning entry, called 'Titan and Stone', is a tombstone consisting of three blocks of black granite and a metal inscription with Navalny's name in capital letters.
His mother Lyudmila Navalnaya came to Mourters yesterday to visit his grave and his widow would tackle a memorial ceremony in Berlin, where she lives in exile.
The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, paid tribute to Navalny and said that Putin's most important challenger had died so far “because he fought for democracy and freedom in Russia.”
Scholz wrote online: 'Putin' fights brutal freedom and his defenders. Navalny's work was all the more brave, “
Russia never fully explained his death and only stated that Navalny had felt unwell after a walk and lost consciousness
Speaking hours after the news about the death of her husband, Navalnaya expressed her skepticism about the information from Russian government sources (depicted: Navalny's widow arrives at the monument)
His mother Lyudmila Navalnaya (photo) joined mourning people yesterday to visit his grave and his widow would tackle a memorial ceremony in Berlin, where she lives in exile
Navalny, depicted with his wife Yulia in happier times, crosses against official corruption and staged mass anti -Kremlin -protests -pulling the anger of the Kremlin
The politician, who campaigned against official corruption, served a prison sentence of 19 years on accusation of extremism when he died
Supporters helped to select a new design for a monument for Navalny on the Borisovskoye Cemetery
The winning entry (photo), entitled 'Titan and Stone', is a tombstone consisting of three blocks of black granite and a metal inscription with Navalny's name in capital letters
Depicted: Police officers look up while a man puts a rose in memory of Navalny
Displayed: Mourning people gather at Navalny's Grave on Borisovskoye Cemetery in Moscow
“His courage made a difference and extends much further than his death.”
And the EU's foreign policy heads Kaja Kallas said that Putin was wearing 'ultimate responsibility' for the death of Navalny.
“Navalny gave his life for a free and democratic Russia. While Russia intensifies its illegal war against Ukraine, it also remains its internal repression, aimed at those who stand for democracy. '
Navalny's sudden death came less than a month before a presidential election that extended the rule of Vladimir Putin of more than two decades.
European leaders have condemned the 'ultimate responsibility' of the Kremlin in his death.
