“If he were the leader he could be a great dictator”: Russians united against Putin in Lisbon in a protest supported by Navalny

This text was originally published in Portuguese in the magazine TejoMag. The respective link is no longer available online, as the magazine no longer exists.

On the third anniversary of the poisoning of Russian opponent Alexei Navalny, Russian and Iranian dissidents gathered to protest against Putin and dictatorial regimes.

Without much fanfare, under the blazing sun on the late afternoon of last Sunday, about thirty people gathered at Praça dos Restauradores to demonstrate against Putin. Timofey Bugaevsky, one of the protest organizers, aligned with the shadow of the obelisk facing Rossio, addressed listeners with familiar arguments that culminated in the name of the demonstration: “Putin is a killer.”

The megaphone in Timofey’s hand barely amplified his words, which were difficult to hear even for those closest. The traditional August summer vacations disrupted the organizer’s expectations, as he had hoped for at least 200 people at the protest. In addition to Lisbon and Porto, other cities around the world also joined the international campaign against Putin. In Portugal, the events were led by the Association of Free Russians, connected to the Free Russians Global community and the Anti-War Committee of Russia.

Navalny as a symbol of hope

Like Timofey Bugaevsky, most attendees were Russians residing in Portugal. They carried small blue-and-white flags, free from Bolshevik red, a symbol adopted by the opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Further from the speeches, Iranian dissidents could be seen with flags honoring the former monarchy. Although the main target was the Russian president, other figures were also challenged, such as Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. “Dictatorial regimes are increasing their efforts and helping each other. We must also unite to fight against them. When one falls, the others will follow. People in those countries are waiting for a story with a happy ending,” said Timofey.

While in a context of war the two countries unite to fuel conflict through Tehran supplying weapons to Moscow, in the West the two peoples unite for peace. For Iranians, Mahsa Amini is a symbol of hope; for Russians, change lies with Alexei Navalny, the only political opponent to Putin. It was the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), a non-profit organization investigating and exposing corruption in Russia, created by Navalny in 2011, that initiated the international event to which Portugal joined, through its connection with the Association of Free Russians. But not all activities of the Association of Free Russians are sponsored by FBK. Timofey makes the distinction: “They are politicians, and we are activists.”

The protest took place on August 20, chosen precisely as the third anniversary of Navalny’s poisoning. According to the organizers on Facebook, the goal was “to remember the existence of the detained—Alexei Navalny and all political prisoners in Russia.” Earlier in the month, the Russian opponent, serving an 11-and-a-half-year prison sentence, was sentenced to an additional 19 years by the Russian justice system.

No political alternatives

Tim Chernov, 47, left Russia five days after the war began. He had to leave his country for supporting the opposition. The protester says one of his best friends was arrested just for sharing a Facebook post about what the Russian army did in Bucha. “But I can’t remain silent if I am Russian. I can’t say there is no war. There is a war, and Putin is doing evil things. Here I can speak and say to Putin: you are a dictator.” The description of the city and the hospitality of the Portuguese in A Night in Lisbon by Erich Maria Remarque made him decide to settle here.

Being at the protest is one way to have a voice. Returning to Russia could mean prison or being sent to the front lines. Leaving his country was not an easy choice, says Tim, who continues to see his family every three or four months, “when they have enough money for tickets.” Coming to Portugal was a choice without alternatives, just as supporting Navalny also is.

In Russia, Tim Chernov always attended protests and even donated money to the opposition. But he admits that “if there were someone else besides Navalny, I might support another person,” he continues. “He is the only leader of the only opposition and he has his own ideas and imperfections.” For him, the lack of alternatives leads him to question the country’s direction. “If he were the leader, he could be a great dictator; I don’t know… He has far more positive points than Putin. Now he’s a very nice guy, but if he comes to power, nobody knows what he will be like.”

Navalny wants “to make Russia free, and because of that, he is in prison. He is exposing the regime through its weaknesses, with his programs, videos, and research,” Tim Chernov acknowledges, explaining why he supports him. According to him, a revolution will happen. “Lenin was a very angry and motivated man. He was a mass murderer. He killed millions and millions of people. I don’t think Navalny would do that, but he is a revolutionary, and that’s very good. He is a magnate of revolution. He can start a revolution.” However, “there is no possibility it will happen like on April 25. There will be no flowers. It has to be something very strong against Putin because he is very powerful.”

A forgotten war?

Alongside the Iranians and Russians, at least four Portuguese joined the protest. All were over 60, such as 78-year-old Irene Guerreiro and 74-year-old Christine, a French citizen residing in Portugal for five decades. As the small crowd dispersed, the two women exchanged a few words with the organizers. After seeing images of Moscow’s attack on Chernihiv on TV and learning about the protest at Praça dos Restauradores, Irene did not hesitate. “I came on purpose,” she exclaimed. Dissatisfied with the small turnout, she complained to the Russian protesters that the first protests had much more impact and reach. She recalled initiatives in front of the Russian Federation Embassy, with youth shouting “down with the war.” “Now there isn’t as much pressure, but there should be, because the war is intensifying.”

Christine, a veteran of anti-war demonstrations, including against the Vietnam War, emphasized the need to reach more people: “It puzzles me to see so few people. Spreading information is very important through unions, schools, the metro, and on the streets.” When the conversation ended, Irene Guerreiro commented: “I leave sad. I would like to see more enthusiasm against Putin.”

Photo by: Associação de Russos Livres