# Alexei Navalny

> Russian jurist and opposition leader (1976-2024)

**Wikidata**: [Q155979](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q155979)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexei_Navalny)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alexei-navalny

## Summary
Alexei Navalny was a Russian jurist and opposition leader who lived from 1976 to 2024. He was a prominent political figure known for organizing anti-corruption investigations and founding the Anti-Corruption Foundation. Navalny was a central leader in the Russian opposition movement, utilizing tactical voting strategies and digital media to challenge the ruling government.

## Biography
- **Born:** June 4, 1976
- **Nationality:** Russian (Soviet Union, Russia)
- **Education:** Finance University under the Government of the Russian Federation; Yale University; Peoples' Friendship University of Russia
- **Known for:** Leading the Russian opposition, anti-corruption activism, and investigative journalism.
- **Employer(s):** Aeroflot; Anti-Corruption Foundation
- **Field(s):** Politics, jurisprudence, anti-corruption, blogging, entrepreneurship, filmmaking.
- **Occupations:** Politician, lawyer, activist, blogger, public figure, YouTuber, film director, screenwriter, entrepreneur.

## Contributions
Alexei Navalny created and led several significant initiatives and works:
*   **Anti-Corruption Foundation:** Founded on September 9, 2011, this non-profit organization investigates and exposes corruption cases among high-ranking Russian government officials.
*   **Smart Voting:** Developed on November 28, 2018, this tactical voting strategy aims to consolidate the Russian opposition vote to challenge the incumbent party.
*   **Documentary Films:** He directed the 2017 film *Don't Call Him Dimon* and was the subject of the 2022 film *Navalny*, directed by Daniel Roher. He also featured in the 2021 documentary *Putin's Palace*.
*   **Political Rhetoric:** He popularized the term "Party of crooks and thieves," a widely used expression referring to the ruling United Russia party.
*   **Political Organizing:** He was a key figure in the Russian Opposition Coordination Council, created in October 2012 by Russian protesters.

## FAQs
**What was Alexei Navalny's educational background?**
Navalny was educated at the Finance University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Yale University, and the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia.

**What organizations did Alexei Navalny found or lead?**
He founded the Anti-Corruption Foundation in 2011 and developed the Smart Voting tactical strategy in 2018. He was also affiliated with the Russian Opposition Coordination Council.

**What recognition did Alexei Navalny receive for his work?**
Navalny received numerous awards, including the Sakharov Prize, the Knight of Freedom Award, the Civil Courage Prize, the Dresden Prize, the M100 Media Award, and the Bambi Award. He was recognized as a Person of the Year, a Time 100 honoree, and an FP Top 100 Global Thinker.

**What media projects is Alexei Navalny known for?**
He directed the documentary *Don't Call Him Dimon* (2017) and was the subject of the film *Navalny* (2022). He also featured in the documentary *Putin's Palace* (2021).

**Who are key figures associated with Alexei Navalny?**
Kira Yarmysh served as his spokesperson. His work often targeted the policies of Vladimir Putin, against whom he organized political opposition.

## Why They Matter
Alexei Navalny mattered as a transformative figure in Russian politics who fundamentally altered how the opposition engaged with the electorate. By leveraging digital platforms and investigative journalism through the Anti-Corruption Foundation, he exposed high-level graft, forcing transparency onto the national agenda despite state censorship. His development of the "Smart Voting" strategy provided a concrete mechanism for opposition voters to challenge the dominant party system. His imprisonment and eventual death in 2024 highlighted the severe risks faced by political dissidents in Russia, drawing international condemnation and cementing his legacy as a symbol of civil courage and the fight for democratic rights.

## Notable For
- Founding the Anti-Corruption Foundation (2011).
- Developing the "Smart Voting" tactical strategy (2018).
- Directing the documentary *Don't Call Him Dimon* (2017).
- Receiving the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
- Being recognized as a Time 100 influential person.
- Popularizing the phrase "Party of crooks and thieves."
- Serving as a key member of the Russian Opposition Coordination Council.
- Being designated a political prisoner and prisoner of conscience.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Alexei Navalny was born on June 4, 1976. He pursued higher education at several prestigious institutions. He attended the Finance University under the Government of the Russian Federation, a major institution in Moscow founded in 1919. He also studied at Yale University, a private university in New Haven, Connecticut, founded in 1701. Additionally, he was educated at the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University) in Moscow, an institution established in 1960.

### Political and Activist Career
Navalny's career spanned multiple roles including politician, lawyer, activist, blogger, and entrepreneur. He emerged as a leading voice in the Russian opposition, organizing protests and political movements. In October 2012, he was involved with the Russian Opposition Coordination Council, a body created by protesters to organize resistance against the incumbent government. He was a member of the political opposition force organized against the incumbent party/coalition and specifically led the movement aiming to remove Vladimir Putin from office.

### Anti-Corruption Work
A central pillar of Navalny's work was the fight against corruption. On September 9, 2011, he founded the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), a non-profit organization dedicated to investigating and exposing corruption among high-ranking Russian government officials. The foundation produced detailed investigations, often released as documentaries. Navalny himself directed *Don't Call Him Dimon* in 2017, a film investigating the wealth of Dmitry Medvedev. He was also featured in the 2021 documentary *Putin's Palace*, which investigated a lavish estate allegedly belonging to Vladimir Putin.

### Electoral Strategy and Political Rhetoric
Navalny developed "Smart Voting," a tactical voting strategy initiated on November 28, 2018. This strategy aimed to consolidate votes for candidates most likely to defeat the ruling party's candidates. He is also credited with popularizing the term "Party of crooks and thieves," a derogatory expression used to describe the United Russia party, which became a staple of opposition rhetoric.

### Media and Digital Presence
Navalny maintained a robust digital presence, operating as a blogger, YouTuber, and public figure. He utilized platforms like YouTube to distribute his investigative films and political commentary, reaching millions of viewers. His work as a screenwriter and film director was integral to his activism, allowing him to bypass traditional state-controlled media. The 2022 film *Navalny*, directed by Daniel Roher, documented his life and poisoning incident, further internationalizing his cause.

### Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Navalny received significant international recognition. He was awarded the Sakharov Prize, an award honoring individuals and groups dedicated to the defense of human rights and freedom of thought. He received the Knight of Freedom Award from Poland, the Civil Courage Prize, the Dresden Prize, and the M100 Media Award. Additionally, he was a recipient of the Bambi Award and the Award "For Freedom of Mass Media." He was named a Person of the Year, listed in the FP Top 100 Global Thinkers, and included in the Time 100 list of influential people.

### Legal Status and Imprisonment
Navalny was classified as a political prisoner and a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned for his opposition to the government. He died on February 16, 2024. His status as a prisoner of conscience highlighted the nonviolent nature of his expression and beliefs, which led to his incarceration.

### Affiliations and Key People
Navalny was affiliated with Aeroflot, Russia's flag carrier, as an employer. His team included Kira Yarmysh, who served as his spokesperson and is a writer. His work was deeply connected to the political landscape of Russia, opposing the government of Vladimir Putin and the United Russia party.

## References

1. [Alexei Navalny: Russia's vociferous Putin critic. 2011](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-16057045)
2. [ФСИН: Алексей Навальный умер в колонии. Meduza. 2024](https://meduza.io/news/2024/02/16/aleksey-navalnyy-umer-v-kolonii)
3. Integrated Authority File
4. [Source](https://zona.media/news/2023/08/04/parents)
5. [«Я очень тебя люблю». История Юлии Навальной — жены, которая не боится и верит](https://www.goodhouse.ru/stars/zvezdnye-istorii/ya-ochen-tebya-lyublyu-istoriya-yulii-navalnoy-zheny-kotoraya-ne-boitsya-i-verit/)
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. data.bibliotheken.nl
8. ["Народный альянс" Навального. 2013](https://www.svoboda.org/a/25170815.html)
9. [Алексей Навальный. Биография Алексей Навальный. Биография. 2013](https://aif.ru/dontknows/1225952)
10. [Alexey Navalny – Maurice R. Greenberg World Fellows Program](https://worldfellows.yale.edu/person/alexey-navalny/)
11. [Алексей Навальный. Биография. 2013](https://aif.ru/dontknows/1225952)
12. [Putin firma la ley que le permitirá ser presidente de Rusia hasta 2036](https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-internacional-56643447)
13. VIAF: 254613339. Virtual International Authority File
14. Czech National Authority Database
15. [История одного Навального. 2019](https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2235276)
16. [Партия Навального получила название «Россия будущего»](https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2018/05/19/770041-partiya-navalnogo)
17. [Obituary: Alexei Navalny, Russia's most vociferous Putin critic. 2011](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-16057045)
18. [Recuerdo mudo al opositor ruso asesinado Boris Nemtsov: "Venimos a mantener la esperanza". 2021](https://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2021/02/27/603a52fdfc6c8343648b464f.html)
19. Catalog of the German National Library
20. [MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, the case of Alexei Navalny, the military build-up on Ukraine’s border and the Russian attack in the Czech Republic | B9-0236/2021 | European Parliament](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-9-2021-0236_EN.html)
21. [The Times: Навальный в Топ-100 ярких персон на 98 месте. 2012](https://www.bbc.com/russian/russia/2012/01/120120_times_navalny_2012)
22. [Навальный, Алексей: Российский общественный деятель. lenta.ru](https://lenta.ru/lib/14159595)
23. [Russia: Aleksei Navalny becomes prisoner of conscience after arrest on arrival in Moscow. 2021](https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/01/russia-aleksei-navalny-becomes-prisoner-of-conscience-after-arrest-on-arrival-in-moscow/)
24. [Про Аэрофлот и Трансаэро. 2015](https://navalny.com/p/4424/)
25. [Навальный взялся за "Аэрофлот". 2012](https://www.dw.com/ru/навальный-взялся-за-аэрофлот/a-16049199)
26. [Source](https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-68436089)
27. [Персоны года — 2009: Частное лицо года](https://www.banki.ru/news/bankpress/?id=1650513)
28. [Source](http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/11/28/the_fp_top_100_global_thinkers?page=0,23)
29. [Prize of the Platform of European Memory and Conscience 2015 awarded in Budapest - Platform of European Memory and Conscience. 2015](https://www.memoryandconscience.eu/2015/05/07/prize-of-the-platform-of-european-memory-and-conscience-2015-awarded-in-budapest/)
30. [Meet the 25 Most Influential People on the Internet. Time.com. 2017](https://time.com/4815217/most-influential-people-internet/)
31. [Навальный получил «Золотую кнопку YouTube». Afisha Daily. 2018](https://daily.afisha.ru/news/15809-navalnyy-poluchil-zolotuyu-knopku-youtube/)
32. [Awards](https://www.genevasummit.org/awards/)
33. [Source](https://nemtsovfund.org/2021/02/premiya-borisa-nemtsova-za-smelost-2021-prisuzhdena-alekseyu-navalnomu/)
34. [Aktuelle Nachrichten aus Europa. tagesschau.de](https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/europa/sacharow-preis-139.html)
35. [Alexei Nawalny – M100 SANSSOUCI COLLOQUIUM](https://www.m100potsdam.org/participants/preistraeger/alexei-nawalny-2/)
36. [Bloggers who are changing the face of Russia as the Snow Revolution takes hold. 2011](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/8948414/Bloggers-who-are-changing-the-face-of-Russia-as-the-Snow-Revolution-takes-hold.html)
37. [The BoBs - The Best of Blogs](https://thebobs.com/russian/?s=rospil)
38. [2022 Alexei Navalny](https://www.civilcourageprize.org/2022-alexei-navalny)
39. [Kremlkritiker Nawalny mit Bambi ausgezeichnet](https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bambi-nawalny-100.html)
40. [Source](https://archive.ph/20130114060103/http://www.day.kiev.ua/uk/article/svitovi-diskusiyi/oleksiy-navalniy-yak-dzerkalo-rosiyskoyi-revolyuciyi)
41. [Alexei Navalny](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBhKpADkGoQ&t=2235s)
42. [Олексій Навальний як дзеркало російської революції. Den. 2012](https://archive.ph/20130114060103/http://www.day.kiev.ua/uk/article/svitovi-diskusiyi/oleksiy-navalniy-yak-dzerkalo-rosiyskoyi-revolyuciyi)
43. [Смерть Алексея Навального. Онлайн «Медузы»](https://meduza.io/live/2024/02/16/umer-navalnyy-onlayn-meduzy)
44. Munzinger Personen
45. [Russische Justiz: Oppositioneller Nawalny in Haft gestorben](https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/europa/alexej-nawalny-tot-100.html)
46. [Putin critic Alexei Navalny dies in Arctic Circle jail. 2024](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68315943)
47. [Source](https://echo.msk.ru/guests/voices/1053.html)
48. [Why Russia Killed Navalny. The Atlantic](https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/02/navalny-death-russia-prison/677485/)
49. [Navalny's widow accuses Kremlin of hiding opposition leader's body to cover up killing him. NBC](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/navalny-wife-kremlin-hiding-body-cover-up-murder-putin-novichok-rcna139431)
50. [Source](https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/russland-fuenf-staaten-erklaeren-nawalnys-vergiftung-im-straflager-a-a3c31aa0-aa0a-461e-af5a-85a485853bbd)