Navalny sends ‘Arctic hugs and polar greetings’ from Siberian prison in New Year’s Eve message

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny sent a New Year’s Eve message from his Siberian prison, urging his supporters to fight for justice and to keep faith in a better future. Writing from the province of Yakutia, Navalny posted on social media that he was sending ‘Arctic hugs and polar greetings’ from the far-flung province. “No matter how tough it may be here, I know I’m not alone in defending what is good and just in this country,” he wrote. “We have many friends and supporters all around the world, and they are not giving up either.” The 44-year-old Russian opposition leader and anti-corruption campaigner was arrested in January 2020 and sentenced to two-and-a-half-years in prison on a controversial embezzlement conviction. Navalny’s family and supporters believe the charges are trumped-up and politically motivated. His arrest sparked months of protests in Russia and abroad. In his New Year’s message, Navalny urged his supporters to keep up the pressure through peaceful protest. “This year, I am calling on each of you to extend your courage — to fight for justice, to not be afraid, to not be intimidated, and to not give up,” he said. Navalny also expressed hope that a better future would come soon. “Let’s stand up for what is right, begin the new year with high spirits and strong faith in the cause of justice,” Navalny wrote. “Let 2021 be the year of freedom, democracy and mutual respect.”