Leonid Volkov, a prominent figure in the Russian opposition and former chief of staff to the late Alexey Navalny, was assaulted outside his home in Vilnius, Lithuania, as reported by Navalny’s spokesperson Kira Yarmysh. According to Yarmysh’s social media post, the attacker smashed a car window, sprayed tear gas at Volkov, and proceeded to strike him with a hammer.
Ivan Zhdanov, director of Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation, provided further details, stating that Volkov sustained injuries to his legs and arms during the attack near his residence. Disturbing images shared by Zhdanov depicted Volkov with facial swelling and a bloodied leg, alongside shattered glass and blood stains near a vehicle. Volkov was promptly transported to a hospital following the assault.
Lithuanian authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, with Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis condemning the attack as “shocking” and affirming that the perpetrators will be held accountable for their actions. The assault on Volkov comes amidst heightened tensions ahead of Russia’s upcoming presidential election, widely anticipated to secure a fifth term for President Vladimir Putin.
Volkov, who served as chairman of Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation until 2023, had previously criticized the elections, labeling them a “circus” aimed at bolstering Putin’s image. He emphasized the propagandistic nature of the elections, suggesting they were designed to instill hopelessness among the electorate rather than serve as a genuine democratic process.
Living outside of Russia for safety reasons, Volkov faces multiple politically motivated charges within his home country. His assault follows the recent death of Navalny in a Russian prison, prompting international condemnation and accusations of foul play from his associates, though the Kremlin denies any involvement in Navalny’s demise.
In recent years, numerous Russian activists, including members of Navalny’s team, have fled the country amid escalating repression by Moscow’s authoritarian regime. In a significant blow to dissent, a Moscow court declared Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation an “extremist” group in 2021, a move widely condemned by the international community for its impact on civil liberties and freedom of expression.
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