Economist Podcasts Bravery behind bars: Alexei Navalny imprisoned
Jul 13, 2022
Arkady Ostrovsky, the Russia and Eastern Europe editor for The Economist, sheds light on the dire situation of Alexei Navalny, Russia's leading opposition figure, now suffering in a brutal prison. He discusses the alarming rise in repression since the Ukraine invasion and how dissent is being stifled. The conversation also touches on global population trends, revealing Africa's growth against Europe's aging demographics, along with an unexpected insight into why clear wine bottles are a bad idea for preserving quality.
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Navalny's Imprisonment
- Alexei Navalny, a Russian opposition leader, was poisoned with Novichok and arrested upon returning to Moscow.
- He's now in a maximum security prison, enduring harsh conditions and limited contact with the outside world.
Kremlin's Fury
- Navalny's life has been at risk since the poisoning, and his imprisonment is a continuation of the Kremlin's attempts to silence him.
- The authorities are furious at his resilience and ability to communicate despite their efforts.
Russian Prison Conditions
- While Navalny's suffering is significant due to his prominence, the conditions in Russian prisons are generally dire, resembling the Soviet Gulag system.
- Torture, abuse, and killings occur, often away from public attention.