As Russian police are arresting protesters, it has become crystal clear that no one can replace Alexei Navalny.
There is no one in Russia with a rallying cry that could replace Alexei Navalny, said a political analyst. And the ability of security forces to shut dissent down is “very extensive.
“Even now we’re already seeing the first arrests and these aren’t even rallies,” said Magnay, referring to the stream of people coming out across the country to lay flowers.
“Individuals who have decided to come and also hold up a piece of paper, they are promptly arrested… a journalist in St Petersburg has been arrested.”
In tributes unrelated to Mr Navalny, wives and mothers of soldiers have been journeying to the tomb of the unknown soldier to lay flowers. They haven’t been arrested, but the journalists covering them have been, said Magnay.
“Once you get within the legal system, the charges start coming against you, and your questioned first and then things get more and more difficult, and then suddenly you’re in jail for a Tweet.
“I have seen that happen to so many people which is why so many people, a lot of whom are supporters of Alexei Navalny, have left the country and why other people just choose to look the other way.
“Unfortunately, there is no one to replace him who has the kind of rallying-cry effect that he had.”
Footage taken by RusNews in St. Petersburg shows participants and journalists being grabbed and led away by balaclava-clad officers.
Photographers on the ground have also captured the moment people gathering after Alexei Navalny’s death were detained in St Petersburg.
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