Navalny’s widow urges Russians to protest on election day

Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has called on Russians to protest on election day in order to demand free and fair elections. Navalnaya made the plea in a video message posted on social media, urging citizens to speak out against what she described as the Russian government’s efforts to stifle dissent and manipulate the electoral process.

“I call on all Russians to come out and protest on election day. Let’s show the authorities that we will not be silenced, that we will not sit idly by while our rights are trampled upon,” Navalnaya said in the video.

The call for protest comes as Russia prepares to hold parliamentary elections on September 19th, in which Navalny’s supporters have been barred from running as candidates. Navalny himself is currently serving a prison sentence for violating parole conditions, a charge that he and his supporters say is politically motivated.

Navalny’s case has drawn widespread international condemnation, with many Western countries calling for his release and urging Russia to respect the rule of law and allow free and fair elections. Navalnaya’s call for protest on election day is likely to further escalate tensions between the Russian government and its critics.

It remains to be seen how many Russians will heed Navalnaya’s call for protest on election day, but the message is clear: the fight for democracy and human rights in Russia is far from over.