• Gork@lemm.ee
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    45
    ·
    11 months ago

    I still don’t understand why Navalny returned to Russia. He knew he would be arrested, so why do it at all? Now he’s dead, quite conveniently for Putin.

    • goetzit@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      58
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      11 months ago

      My assumption would be that he hoped he could at least become a martyr for the Russian people. It is one thing to be accused of crimes, and flee your country forever, it leaves space for Russians to think “well if he is an innocent man, why is he on the run? If he wishes to represent this country, how can he if he flees it?”. Maybe he hoped that by coming back and facing the ridiculous charges, it could at least give him some credibility with the citizens who would maybe see the absurdity of it all, and maybe spark some kind of political unrest. It obviously didn’t work, but in the face of the hopeless political situation in Russia, can you blame him for trying?

    • Daft_ish@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      8
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      edit-2
      11 months ago

      I don’t think he wanted to die. People like Alexei have a strong moral character. When they know their cause is good and right they will refuse to back down every time. That sense of righteous gives them strength to stand up to even the most horrible dictators. While short sighted in terms of self preservation many would rather die on the side of righteousness than live in a world that is inherently flawed. He died with his dreams in tact which many of us will never have. I don’t think he wanted to be a martyr he just never saw any other choice.