Pussy Riot called Vladimir Putin and the Russian government “murderers” at a protest Sunday in Germany following the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
The group’s creator Nadya Tolokonnikova and fellow members of the protest and performance art collective staged the demonstration outside the Russian embassy in Berlin, where a makeshift memorial to Navalny was placed.
“We came with one simple word – ‘MURDERERS’ He did not just die. He was murdered,” Tolokonnikova said in a statement Sunday of Navalny, who reportedly died of “blood clots” at a Russian prison. Navalny was 47.
“What we need to know about Putin is that he’s much more fragile than he seems. He is afraid of his opponents.”
As documented on Pussy Riot’s social media accounts, people who have attempted to mourn Navalny publicly Russia have been met with police presence and arrests. A similar instance occurred in Berlin, as German authorities demanded Pussy Riot remove their masks and threatened to have them arrested if they did not comply, the group said Sunday.
Navalny was detained by Russian authorities in 2021 on what are widely regarded as fabricated charges of corruption intended to silence his criticism of Putin. Prior to his arrest, Navalny survived at least two documented assassination attempts. His imprisonment resulted in widespread protests against the Putin government throughout Russia. In 2022, he was sentenced to nine years in prison with an additional 19 years added to his sentence in August.
Courtesy of Pussy Riot
Navalny himself acknowledged the possibility that he would be murdered during an interview for the CNN-produced documentary Navalny, filmed shortly before his arrest. “You are not allowed to give up,” he said. “If they decide to kill me, it means we are incredibly strong. We need to use this power, not to give up, to remember that. Because we are a huge force being oppressed by these bad guys. We don’t know how strong we really are.”
“Alexei Navalny was hope and light for people inside and outside of Russia. He was symbol of hope and resistance, and an example of someone standing up for his values,” Tolokonnikova added Sunday.
“If he was standing here with us he would be cracking jokes. He led with love and joy and laughter. This allowed him to give us strength. Even when he was in jail. Let’s continue with Joy and Strength to honor Alexei.”