### Alexei Navalny's Memoir Reveals His Resolve and Acceptance of a Grim Fate

In a memoir from late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, newly released excerpts reveal he had accepted the likelihood of dying in prison. Known for his fierce opposition to President Vladimir Putin and his relentless campaign against corruption, Navalny passed away in a remote Arctic prison in February while serving a 19-year sentence. This sentence was based on multiple charges, including running an extremist group—allegations that Navalny consistently maintained were politically motivated.

Navalny's troubles began after returning to Russia in January 2021 from Germany, where he had been recuperating from a nerve agent poisoning attack he attributed to the Kremlin. Following his return, he was jailed and subsequently handed three prison terms. Russian officials have repeatedly denied any involvement in his poisoning or death.

Published by Knopf, the memoir reveals that Navalny began writing during his recovery from the poisoning and continued to work on it while in and out of prison. Reflecting on his incarceration, Navalny detailed his strategy for coping by imagining the worst possible outcomes and then accepting them. "I will spend the rest of my life in prison and die here," he wrote on March 22, 2022.

Nevertheless, Navalny's writing delineates not a sense of defeat, but a resolute stance against Russia's authoritarian regime. "My approach to the situation is certainly not one of contemplative passivity. I am trying to do everything I can from here to put an end to authoritarianism (or, more modestly, to contribute to ending it)," he penned on the same date.

One particularly poignant excerpt, dated January 17, 2024, captures his response to fellow inmates and prison guards who questioned why he returned to Russia. "I don't want to give up my country or betray it. If your convictions mean something, you must be prepared to stand up for them and make sacrifices if necessary," Navalny asserted.

While the memoir lays bare the harsh realities of his imprisonment, it also showcases Navalny's enduring sense of humor. He recalls a bet with his lawyers over the length of a new prison sentence: "Olga reckoned eleven to fifteen years. Vadim surprised everyone with his prediction of precisely twelve years and six months. I guessed seven to eight years and was the winner."

Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny's widow, praised the memoir in a statement released by the publisher. She described the book as a testament not only to her husband's life but also to his unwavering commitment to fighting dictatorship. She expressed hope that sharing his story would inspire others to stand up for justice and remain steadfast in their convictions. The memoir has already been translated into 11 languages and will "definitely" be published in Russian.