As the political climate continues to worsen and tensions between countries are at an all-time high, there are those out there who are brave enough to fight against authoritarian regimes.
Natalia Arno is one such person, a Russian activist who’s life has been put in danger not once, but twice by none other than Vladimir Putin.
Her story of facing decades of threats and harassment while fighting for democracy in Russia deserves recognition.
Arno is an activist from Russia who founded the Free Russia Foundation—an organization which supports Russian activists, journalists, and pro-democracy organizations.
Despite being forced to leave her homeland at gunpoint due to political persecution by Vladimir Putin’s regime, she vowed never to stop fighting for freedom.
In May, she was poisoned with a nerve toxin while travelling through Europe – leaving her paralyzed with pain – but this has only made her more determined to continue her mission despite the risks involved.
For years Natalia faced surveillance from Russian security services who monitored her every move, even going as far as tracking what color underwear she wore by placing bugs in her bathroom.
In July 2021 she experienced a similar occurrence in Vilnius, Lithuania when she noticed a strange perfume-like smell in her room before breaking out into a fever and rash.
Eventually the Kremlin told Natalia that if she didn’t leave Russia within 48 hours she would be arrested and thrown into jail for 20 years – so naturally, she chose freedom instead.
Natalia wasn’t alone in facing attacks from Putin’s regime; other critics have also been targeted beyond the borders of Russia including former double agent Sergei Skripal who was poisoned with Novichok in Salisbury back in 2018.
Alexander Litvinenko’s poisoning death in 2006 also made headlines around the world – highlighting just how far reaching these operations can be.
Natalia’s vice president Vladimir Kara-Murza has also been attacked twice via nerve agents while travelling through Russia; he was later sentenced to 25 years imprisonment after speaking out against war on Ukraine on MSNBC.
Despite all these events taking place, Natalia remains committed to continuing what could be considered an impossible mission – making sure no voice goes unheard or silenced by oppressive regimes like Putin’s own government.
