In the aftermath of the reported death of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, his wife, Yulia, and his mother, Lyudmila, made very conflicting statements.
Wife vs. Mother-in-Law
In her address to the Munich Security Conference, Navalnaya said that the Putin regime would pay for their crimes if the death of her husband is confirmed.
She additionally called upon the international community to oppose and fight the "horrific regime" in Russia.
"We cannot believe Putin and his government," she told the audience in her native Russian. "They are lying constantly. But if it's true, I would like Putin and all his staff, everybody around him, his government, his friends, I want them to know that they will be punished for what they have done with our country, with my family and with my husband. They will be brought to justice, and this day will come soon."
On the other hand, the older Navalnaya claimed that her son was alive and well.
"I don't want to hear any condolences," she said on Facebook, as quoted by Russian media outlet Novaya Gazeta. "We saw him in prison on the (Feb) 12, in a meeting. He was alive, healthy and happy."
Clips of what seemed to be the last time Navalny was recorded alive revealed that he was cracking jokes with prison staff.
Navalny is survived by Yulia, their adult daughter Dasha, and their son Zakhar.
Daddy's Girl Continues Navalny Legacy
Meanwhile, social media users commented on the TED Talk of Navalny's daughter, Dasha Navalnaya, speaking at an October 2023 event in Atlanta after her father's death.
The young Navalnaya shared stories of her life as a little girl whose father was always being followed by FSB agents, stressing that his patriotism urged him to return to Russia after he recovered from Novichok nerve agent poisoning despite the risks to his life and personal liberty.
"My dad is an incredibly courageous and selfless man, and I can only dream to be like him one day," she said. "He doesn't run or hide. And unlike my father, Putin is a coward - a coward who, with his cronies, can no longer hide from the consequences of what they have done to my country and democracy around the world."
Recent comments reflecting on Navalny's death were of condolences to his daughter.
"Today, we cry with you," said one comment.
"Take the place of your father now!" another added. "He would be proud of you."
"Thank you, Dasha," read a third, commending her TED Talk stint. "Today, we received the news that your father is no longer with us. We feel very sorry."
