Russian Court Orders Arrest of Yulia Navalnaya

A Russian court has ordered the arrest in absentia of Yulia B. Navalnaya, the widow of Aleksei A. Navalny, a prominent figure in Russia’s political opposition. The court accused her of “participating in an extremist community.”

The arrest order against Ms. Navalnaya, who left Russia in 2021, follows the death of her husband under suspicious circumstances in a Russian penal colony. Aleksei Navalny was imprisoned after facing fabricated charges upon his return to Russia, following a near-fatal poisoning attempt in August 2020.

Yulia Navalnaya has repeatedly pointed fingers at President Vladimir V. Putin, accusing him of being involved in her husband’s death. She has pledged to continue the opposition work of her late husband and has become a vocal critic of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, holding the Kremlin responsible for the bloodshed.

The court statement did not specify the reasons for the charges against Ms. Navalnaya, but they seem to be related to her involvement in the Navalny opposition organization. While she maintained a low profile politically during her husband’s life, she played a significant role in the advisory board of his Anti-Corruption Foundation.

• The foundation, labeled as “extremist,” now operates internationally from exile in Lithuania, exposing the financial assets of Russian officials.

The arrest order was issued by the Investigative Committee, and Ms. Navalnaya’s name will be placed on an international wanted list. She faces arrest upon returning to Russia.

In response to the court decision, Yulia Navalnaya took to social media with a hint of sarcasm, emphasizing that Putin is a “murderer and a war criminal.” She called for his imprisonment in Russia, rather than a comfortable cell elsewhere.

Ms. Navalnaya has announced her involvement in editing a manuscript written by her late husband during his imprisonment. The book, detailing his political career, is set to be released in October.

She has also taken on the role of chairwoman at the Human Rights Foundation, succeeding Garry Kasparov, a Russian chess grandmaster.

Reporting by Milana Mazaeva.