DISINFO: The Western Navalny project to destabilise Russia has failed
SUMMARY
Today, we can actually speak of the complete failure of the Navalny project, orchestrated by the West, to destabilise Russia.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Alexei Navalny. The claim that Navalny is somehow used by the West and foreign special services for the political destabilisation of Russia is disinformation.
Anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny has long been the most prominent face of Russian opposition to President Vladimir Putin. His candidacy in the 2018 presidential election was banned by authorities over his conviction by a Russian court for embezzlement, which bars him from running for office. He has been arrested and imprisoned several times during his political career.
Alexei Navalny, in addition to founding the Russia of the Future party in 2018, is also the founder and leader of the "Anti-Corruption Foundation" (FBK), which has investigated embezzlement from the state budget, uncovered the lives of Russian politicians and businessmen close to the government and different corruption practices. FBK's goal is to eliminate corruption. Their funding comes from donations and therefore the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation recognised FBK as a "foreign agent" due to the Russian "foreign agent" law, since they receive donations from outside Russia. However, FBK does not agree with this claim and is appealing it in court.
Alexei Navalny was arrested following his return to Russia from Germany, where he was treated for poisoning with a Novichok-type chemical nerve agent. The European Union has condemned his arrest and demanded his immediate release.
See further disinformation claims that Alexei Navalny is a depleted political project; that the neo-liberal forces behind Navalny will intensify their attempts to destroy Russia; that Navalny is used as an instrument by Western special services and that the West needs Alexei Navalny to destabilise the situation in Russia.