Alexei Navalny: A Thorn in Putin's Side

Background and Rise to Prominence

• 2011 Moscow Protest: The largest anti-government rally since the fall of the Soviet Union.
• Alexei Navalny: A blogger and organizer of the protest. He accused Putin's party of corruption.
• Over the decade, he became well-known internationally as an opposition leader against Putin.

Challenges Faced by Navalny

• Frequently arrested, investigated, and tried on various charges.
• Poisoning Incident: Attacked with Novichok, a chemical nerve agent.
  • CNN and Bellingcat uncovered a Russian spy team's involvement.
  • Despite the attack, he returned to Russia, knowing he faced prison.
• Currently imprisoned in a maximum-security facility with harsh conditions.

Prison Conditions

• Solitary Confinement: Navalny has been in solitary nine times since August.
  • Confined to a small cell with minimal possessions.
  • Suffering health issues with inadequate medical care.
• Communication Restrictions: Limited contact with family and lawyers.

Documentary: "Navalny"

• Produced by CNN Films, generating significant attention as awards season approaches.
• Airing details: January 14th on CNN, also available on HBO Max.

Interview with Dasha Navalny

• Dasha's Insights:
  • Discussed her father's current condition and the harsh prison environment.
  • Mentioned the psychological toll of her father's political activities on her family.
  • Expressed pride in her father's courage and dedication to his cause.

Notable Incidents

• Impersonation Incident: In the film, Navalny tricked a security officer into revealing details about his poisoning.

Personal Impact on Dasha

• Balancing life at Stanford with her family's political struggles.
• Family's strong support system, including her grandparents and mother.

Final Thoughts from Dasha

• Her father is committed to his cause, aware of the risks.
• Family's acceptance of his decision to return to Russia despite dangers.
• Message to her father: Encouragement and assurance of their continued efforts to support him and the cause.