MOSCOW, Russia – Letters and correspondence between Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny and refusenik Natan Sharansky have been released, shedding light on Navalny’s time in captivity. Navalny, who passed away at age 47, had been communicating with Sharansky and readers of Holod.Media, an independent media organization, at the organization’s request. The term “refusenik” refers to those who were denied exit visas in the Soviet Union.
The correspondence, obtained by the Free Press and Holod.Media, began on April 3, 2023, and lasted until April 17, 2023. The Free Press published two letters Navalny wrote to Sharansky and one letter from Sharansky in response. Navalny’s team confirmed the authenticity of the letters, stating that it is “safe to presume” they were written by Navalny.
The published letters reveal a shared sense of humor between Navalny and Sharansky, as they made light of their circumstances. In one letter, Navalny joked about there possibly being a plaque at the penal colony stating “Natan Sharansky was held here.” Additionally, Sharansky expressed receiving a “kind shock” after receiving Navalny’s letter and responded to him “not only as an ‘author to reader'” but also as an “admirer.”
It is evident from the letters that Navalny had obtained a Russian copy of Sharansky’s memoir ‘Fear No Evil’ before reaching out to him. This exchange provides a glimpse into Navalny’s experiences and the relationships he maintained during his time in captivity, offering valuable insight into his character and resilience.