Russia Labels Navalnys Patriot Memoir as Extremist, Sparking Debate on Freedom of Expression

On Wednesday, Russia’s Justice Ministry officially labeled the memoir «Patriot» by the late opposition figure Alexei Navalny as “extremist,” effectively prohibiting the book. This action follows a ruling made by the Leningrad Regional Court in June.

Leonid Volkov, who was the chief of staff during Navalny’s 2018 presidential run, stated on his Telegram channel that Russian President Vladimir Putin has always been, and will continue to be, fearful of Navalny. He remarked, “It’s an excellent book; make sure to read it.”

Ivan Zhdanov, another close associate of the deceased opposition leader, asserted that the ban would likely have the opposite effect. “I believe more people will read it now,” he commented. “The book is accessible in stores worldwide and in virtually every library. It is Putin who embodies extremism.”

Lawyer Alexandra Baeva informed the exiled Russian media outlet Agentstvo that searching for phrases like “Patriot Navalny” or “Navalny’s Patriot book” could now be interpreted as seeking extremist material.

Valeria Vetoshkina from the human rights organization OVD-Info concurred, indicating that searching for the book’s content might be deemed an offense. However, she mentioned that it remains unclear what technical means will be used to monitor such searches.

This ban coincides with a wider crackdown on the search for extremist content. On July 22, the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, passed a law imposing fines ranging from 3,000 rubles ($37) to 5,000 rubles ($62) for intentional searches related to extremist materials, even when using a VPN.

The Federation Council approved the legislation on July 25, and it is set to come into effect on September 1, pending the president’s approval.

«Patriot» was released in October 2024 and is available in Russian, English, and more than 20 other languages. The memoir details Navalny’s journey from childhood through his incarceration, culminating in his death.

Navalny began crafting the book after surviving poisoning in 2020 and continued writing while imprisoned, secretly sending his notes during rare family and lawyer visits. The memoir was awarded the British Book Awards’ Book of the Year in 2025.