As of: February 18, 2024, 11:19 a.m
By: Marcus Giebel
Comments
Press
Split
Alexei Navalny dies in Russian captivity.
Igor Girkin is also behind bars.
His wife shares her worries on Telegram.
Moscow - The now confirmed report of Alexei Navalny's death is not only shaking up the West, the Kremlin critic's supporters and other long-standing opposition figures in Russia.
But also Miroslava Reginskaya.
She is the wife of the ultranationalist Igor Girkin, also known under the pseudonym Strelkov, who has been imprisoned since last summer.
Like Navalny in Russian custody: Girkin is also accused of extremism
The former intelligence officer was an important confidant of Vladimir Putin and at times acted as military leader - or officially: defense minister - of the separatist Donetsk People's Republic.
However, because the invasion of Russian troops since the beginning of the Ukraine war did not develop according to his ideas, the 53-year-old openly broke with the Kremlin boss and repeatedly called for tougher and even more uncompromising action in the neighboring country via Telegram and made the powerful head of state sometimes ridiculous.
His plan even included running against Putin in the presidential election in March.
But this was thwarted by his imprisonment.
Like Navalny, Girkin is also accused of extremism; in the first trial he was sentenced to four years in prison at the end of January.
His wife obviously has doubts that the hardliner, who was internationally announced for arrest in connection with the shooting down of a passenger plane with 298 passengers, will ever be released.
On Friday, she wrote on the Telegram channel “Miroslava Reginskaya (Freedom for Strelkov),” which was launched after his arrest in Russia: “I am very worried about my husband.”
Worried about her husband: Miroslava Reginskaya has been worried about the imprisoned ultranationalist Igor Girkin for months.
© imago
Many Putin critics die: Memories of Prigozhin's death shortly after the March on Moscow
After all – as harsh as it may sound – Navalny only extends the list of Putin critics who died under unclear circumstances.
One of the most prominent Russian fatalities in recent months is Yevgeny Prigozhin, who became famous as “Putin's cook” and who, with his Wagner mercenaries, did the dirty work for the commander in Ukraine, before he then called on his fighters to march on Moscow was called off just outside the gates of the capital.
My news
Payment card for asylum seekers: Habeck causes the next dispute - Kubicki threatens to break the traffic light
“It had to happen”: Putin dictated Navalny’s prison camp torture reading, according to Moscow insiders
39 mins ago
Zelensky warns in Munich of a global “catastrophe” caused by Putin – Habeck wants to read new Russia sanctions
Navalny dead according to Russian authorities: First report on possible cause of death read
Bulwark against Putin fallen: Chaos retreat from Avdiivka - Ukrainians probably let soldiers read back
Ukrainians proudly demonstrate Leopard 1 tanks to ZDF - but there's a lot missing from it
A few weeks later, Prigozhin died in a plane crash with the remaining nine occupants, including Wagner founder and neo-Nazi Dmitri Utkin.
There was speculation afterwards that there was a bomb on board the plane that was traveling from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
However, unlike Navalny and Girkin, Putin appeared to have forgiven him.
At least Prigozhin is said to have been promised impunity.
Death of Navalny and Prigozhin: Girkin would be easy for Putin to grab as a prisoner
Because of his imprisonment, Girkin would undoubtedly be easier for Putin to grab than the mercenary boss.
Apparently to reassure his followers, Reginskaya said in another Telegram post that his health was “now stable” and there was no cause for concern.
A lawyer who recently visited Girkin described him as healthy and cheerful.
He reads, composes for his daughter and draws pictures for her.
The most important thing: He doesn't seem depressed.
“I emphasize that nothing bad can happen to Igor as far as his health is concerned,” Reginskaya emphasized, presumably to prevent speculation in the worst case scenario.
Because she also made it clear: “We have all already recognized that prisons can pose a danger to people’s lives and health.”
Years in prison await him - in the best case scenario: Vladimir Putin's former confidant, Igor Girkin, is accused of extremism.
© imago
Girkin's wife on circumstances of detention: Ex-Putin confidant isolated for seven months
It was only on February 14th - two days before Navalny's death - that she also wrote on Telegram about the circumstances under which Girkin was being held.
Accordingly, he has not had any contact with other people for seven months and his request to call his mother has not been answered.
His request for the phone call was ultimately processed - Reginskaya is assuming this is a reaction to her public criticism.
But instead of letting the judge decide - as is the usual way - the prison administration rejected Girkin's request on the grounds that they could not agree without the judge's permission.
“The situation has become even more confusing,” complains Reginskaya.
Nevertheless, she was encouraged that the applications have now been responded to.
She wants to continue trying to meet her husband.
Since Navalny's death, Reginskaya seems to feel this is more urgent than ever.
(mg)