Above, actor BeneÂdict CumÂberÂbatch reads the final letÂter writÂten by AlexÂei NavalÂny, the RussÂian oppoÂsiÂtion leader who died in a SiberÂian prison on FebÂruÂary 16th. The letÂter gets at a quesÂtion many have asked, even from afar. Why, after being poiÂsoned with NoviÂchok in 2020, did NavalÂny return to RusÂsia, knowÂing he would face immeÂdiÂate and harsh imprisÂonÂment?
The letÂter, datÂed JanÂuÂary 17, 2024, begins:
ExactÂly 3 years ago, I returned to RusÂsia after underÂgoÂing treatÂment for poiÂsonÂing at the airÂport. I was arrestÂed and here I am three years in. For three years, I’ve been answerÂing the same quesÂtion. Inmates ask it plainÂly and directÂly. Prison adminÂisÂtraÂtion staff [ask it] cauÂtiousÂly, with the recorders off. Why did you come back?
For a counÂtry now used to cynÂiÂcism and corÂrupÂtion, the answer is disÂmayÂing:
It’s actuÂalÂly very simÂple. I have my counÂtry and my conÂvicÂtions and I don’t want to renounce either my counÂtry or my conÂvicÂtions.… If your conÂvicÂtions are worth anyÂthing, you should be ready to stand up for them and, if necÂesÂsary, make some sacÂriÂfices. And if you’re not ready, then you have no conÂvicÂtions at all. You just think you do. But those are not conÂvicÂtions and
prinÂciÂples, just thoughts in your head.
NavalÂny ends the letÂter with a preÂdicÂtion: “Putin’s state is unviÂable. One day we’ll look at its place and it will be gone. VicÂtoÂry is inevitable but, for now, we must not give up…” Rest in peace AlexÂei NavalÂny.