Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny expressed his unwavering faith in his cause in a memoir released eight months after his death in prison.
Entitled Patriot, the book, published on Tuesday, reflects his political journey as well as his experiences behind bars.
In it, he writes: “I so much do not want my book to be yet another prison diary.”
The latter part of the 479-page book details the isolation of prison life. It can be seen as both a testament to his resilience against despair and a guide for coping with dire circumstances.
Copies of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s memoir entitled ‘Patriot’ are put display on the first day of sale in a bookshop in Berlin, Germany, October 22, 2024. In a memoir released eight months after he died in prison, Navalny never loses faith that his cause is worth suffering for.
Markus Schreiber/AP
Navalny, a lawyer turned anti-corruption campaigner, became a symbol of resistance against President Vladimir Putin‘s regime.
His widow, Yulia Navalnaya, who oversaw the book’s completion, said in a recent BBC interview that she would consider running for president if she returned to Russia.
She has been vocal about her commitment to continuing her husband’s fight, despite being arrested in absentia on charges related to an extremist group.
Throughout Patriot, Navalny reflects on significant moments in his life, including the fall of the Soviet Union and his disenchantment with former President Boris Yeltsin.
He shares his realization that he could be the change he wanted to see, envisioning what he describes as a “beautiful Russia of the future” characterized by democracy and reduced corruption.
Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny listens to a question during an interview at the Echo Moskvy (Echo of Moscow) radio station in Moscow, Russia, April 8, 2013. His memoir, ‘Patriot’, chronicles his time in prison and his dedication to his cause.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP, file
Navalny garnered widespread support, particularly among younger voters, as he exposed corruption through professionally produced videos.
However, the Kremlin’s response to his rising popularity included multiple arrests and the dismantling of his political infrastructure, including his Foundation for Fighting Corruption.
After surviving a nerve agent poisoning in 2020, which he attributed to the Kremlin, Navalny returned to Russia and was promptly arrested.
The memoir also details the intense pressure he faced in prison, especially after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which led to an escalation in crackdowns on dissent.
Navalny describes harsh conditions, including solitary confinement and deprivation of medical care.
In December 2023, he was transferred to a high-security penal colony above the Arctic Circle, where he died in February 2024 under mysterious circumstances.
His death sparked widespread mourning, with tens of thousands attending his funeral near Moscow, a rare display of public dissent in a repressive political climate.
Yulia Navalnaya expressed her hope that the book would reach many readers, stating, “He was so cool: strong and brave, kind and funny. The best. And the dearest.”
Patriot will be available in Russian, but shipping to Russia and Belarus is restricted due to concerns over customs issues.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin and state media have largely ignored the book’s release, consistent with their general avoidance of discussing Navalny.
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press
